Innovation Award 2025
Category criteria
- This category is open to individuals, teams or businesses making a big impact with an innovation.
- The innovation could be a new product, service or process or it could be an innovative use of an existing product, service or process.
- The judges will be keen to find out about the intellectual processes which gave rise to the design and development of the innovation.
- The judges will also want to know how innovation is handled within the culture of the company and will welcome nominations from businesses that have innovation at the core of their ethos.
Comp Door
Innovation Award entrant
From a start-up team of 12 when it launched just under four years ago, Comp Door now has more than 95 staff and a £22 million annual turnover.
The Newcastle-under-Lyme based company has grown its turnover from £14 million in 2024, a 57% increase in just 12 months.
During the past year the manufacturing company has made and delivered 2,200 additional doors, taken on 26 new staff, added two vans to its fleet to cope with demand and invested in a new 17,000sqft facility.
Sales Director Richard Diliberto said: “This expansion didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of a focused strategy and an unwavering belief that we can, and should, always do better.
“In just under four years, we’ve grown from a 12-person start-up into a 95+ strong team of skilled professionals. This is a testament to our empowering culture, strong values and reputation as a great place to work in the region.
“We invest in training, value collaboration and nurture an entrepreneurial spirit across all roles, because we know innovation is driven by people as much as by process.
“At Comp Door, innovation isn’t a department, it’s a culture. From the leadership team to the factory floor, we ask one simple question: How can we improve this?”
Innovations in the last year include an app-integrated system that lets homeowners check the locked status of their door in real time via a smartphone.
Comp Door’s SleekSkin finish is a ‘luxury skin’ that gives doors a handpainted look. It has also added a decorative glazing collection and launched a new range of stainless steel door hardware and a new range of doors with modern, linear aesthetics.
Comp Door has entered the Business of the Year, Growth Award and Innovation Award categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Richard Diliberto added: “We believe these awards belong to a business that combines vision with values, scale with soul and momentum with meaning.That’s who we are. That’s what we’re building. And that’s why we’re ready to win.”
Promtek Ltd
Innovation Award entrant
A second-generation, family-owned business, Promtek Ltd was founded in the 1970s but is very much in the 21st century when it comes to innovation and working practices.
Based in Brindley Ford, the engineering and technology company is constantly innovating and adapting to meet the needs of its customers in the digital era and to stay at the forefront of smart industrial automation and digital manufacturing solutions.
It specialises in serving the animal feed, food and beverage, chemical and wider process industries, particularly those involving complex bulk solids handling.
By combining intelligent control systems, innovative software and deep industry expertise, Promtek empowers manufacturers to enhance efficiency, product quality, traceability and sustainability - while simultaneously reducing operational costs and carbon footprints.
As a privately owned SME, Promtek plays a vital role in the ongoing modernisation of manufacturing processes in the UK and internationally. Its technology enables companies to digitise operations previously reliant on manual methods or outdated systems, ensuring seamless data flow, robust compliance, and greater agility. From recipe and batch management to real-time production monitoring and energy optimisation, its solutions deliver measurable improvements throughout the production lifecycle.
Promtek’s trajectory reflects strong, sustainable growth with a 20% revenue increase achieved in the latest trading year and a consistent three-year compound annual growth rate of 17%. It has successfully expanded its global footprint by delivering projects and providing ongoing support in markets including the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Slovakia, Sri Lanka and the United States. It currently manages more than 80 active annual maintenance and support contracts.
Promtek has a longstanding relationship with University of Staffordshire to offer undergraduate placements and graduate recruitment, as well as opportunities to accelerate its product innovation ideas.
Promtek has entered the Small Business of the Year and Innovation Award categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
UTH City
Innovation Award entrant
UTH City is a youth-facing app created to support young people in the community and build dynamic and hopeful communities for tomorrow.
Brought about by a collaboration between two prominent youth organisations in Stoke-on-Trent, the app is designed to offer life-changing support, trusted signposting and a safe digital space to help young people become happier, more engaged and connected in their community.
The app has been created after extensive research into the needs and challenges of young people in Stoke-on-Trent, by a collaboration between King’s Award recipients Ruff & Ruby Urban Youth Charity and Stoke-on-Trent Youth Collective (SOTYC), a consortium of 95 city-based youth organisations.
Ruff and Ruby Urban Youth Charity was founded by Dawn Reynolds, who has 25 years of experience working in the youth sector in the city, to engage and empower young people to achieve their own potential.
With a vision to be a ‘one stop shop’ for young people, the UTH City app has involved young people from day one to support its development. Through extensive research and feedback, they have carefully curated a platform that provides the personal support individuals need as well as a dynamic way for businesses and organisations to engage effectively with users.
At the top of the list of features is the Suicide Prevention button which allows a user quick and robust access to targeted support. The concept has been co-designed with local young people and a working group of mental health specialists including Crisis Care Team, NHS Young People Service, CYPISH, CAMHS, North Staffs MIND and CHANGES. This feature is unique in the UK and is specifically designed to reduce suicide rates in the young.
The app also features latest information about what’s on in the local area, from clubs to activities and help. This feature uses a location-based algorithm that gives the user quick and accurate results first time. The ‘Wotz On Where’ is closely followed by ‘Wotz Appnin’ too, which features youth events and holiday programmes that young people can get involved with.
Support is inside the app at every turn, providing a vital link between young people and those who can help. This includes areas for education and training (Bear Skillz), jobs (Graft) and apprenticeships (Boss Up).
UTH City has entered the Business in the Community and Innovation Award categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Reliance Medical Ltd
Innovation Award entrant
Founded nearly two decades ago by University of Staffordshire alumnus Andrew Pear, Reliance Medical has grown into the UK’s leading trade manufacturer of first aid and medical supplies.
A family run, true British success story, Reliance has carved out a strong international presence through cutting-edge product development and a commitment to helping save lives.
Based in North Staffordshire, the business employs 70 staff in the UK and 105 at its wholly owned manufacturing facility in Shanghai with newly established operations across Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Innovation lies at the heart of Reliance Medical’s success. In 2024 the company introduced the groundbreaking Igloo Blanket. This state-of-the-art hypothermia blanket has been developed to aid trauma patients, newborn infants and individuals exposed to extreme weather conditions. Using multi-layered, latex-free, reflective materials, Igloo blankets trap and reflect body heat, significantly reducing the risk of hypothermia in emergency situations such as major blood loss.
Already being deployed by ambulance and military services, Igloo blankets are distributed in 16 languages ensuring they are ready for use by emergency services across Europe.
Reliance Medical’s commitment to the planet is as strong as its commitment to saving lives. The company is proud to lead the sector with sustainable design and production initiatives.
Reliance Medical’s flagship first aid kit boxes - Aura3 and Titan, are industry firsts: both are made entirely from recycled and recyclable plastic, reducing the need for virgin materials and saving the equivalent of six million plastic bottles per year. These kits feature screen printed, globally recognisable iconography to replace printed labels, further reducing plastic waste.
Thomas Pear MBA, Managing Director of Reliance Medical, said: "Reliance Medical prides itself on leading the industry, both in terms of innovation and thought leadership, supporting and affecting regulatory and legislation changes. Our aim is to continue to grow UK sales and open new export and retail markets around the world - this desire has fuelled our major international expansion.”
Reliance Medical has entered the Business of the Year and Innovation Award categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Paco's Place
Innovation Award entrant
Tens of thousands of people around the world follow the daily exploits of the business run by University of Staffordshire alumna Adele de Caso and her daughter, Sofia.
Paco’s Place, in Trentham, is a Dachshund Hotel – one of just a handful in the UK.
They offer a boutique, family experience for Dachshunds when their human family members are on holiday which is so sought after that pet-lovers travel from as far as The Lake District and London to use the service.
The business, set up by Adele and Sofia in May 2018, has around 46,000 followers on Instagram and 50,000 on TikTok with some of their posts receiving hundreds of thousands of likes.
Paco’s Place is becoming a known brand sought out for collaborations by other pet-related and dog-friendly friends.
Adele and Sofia have even started travelling around Europe with their own dogs at the invite of dog-friendly hotels keen for Paco’s Place to create social media content for them – including recent trips to Italy, Austria, Spain, France and London.
“We recently did a collaboration with a hotel in Madrid and with Marriott and Sheraton hotels in London,” said Adele, who owns and runs two other businesses alongside Paco’s Place. “We are offered vehicles to use for our shoots and are invited to dog friendly events and festivals.
“Paco’s Place is our lifestyle and a passion as well as a business for us. It’s gradually becoming a brand and we will launch various branded products.”
The family set the business up seven years ago as they knew how difficult it was to find someone to care for their own Dachshunds.
“At that point I only knew about one other Dachshund hotel and I said to my husband that I’d always fancied running something like that. He just said let’s do it,” said Adele.
“We can have up to 10 dogs at any one time. They all have their own individual diets and eat at the time that suits them. We have some that don’t enjoy walks so when we take them out we have dog pushchairs as well as dogs on leads. We get a lot of attention.”
Adele has entered Paco’s Place into the Innovation and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and she has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year categories.
Wavemaker
Innovation Award entrant
Wavemaker is innovating to tackle digital poverty right in the heart of the Stoke-on-Trent communities where it is most needed.
It places digital resources directly into communities, ensuring learning is accessible where people already feel comfortable. By combining face-to-face support with an online learning platform, it helps community spaces deliver digital skills training independently, creating long-term impact.
Over the past 12 months Wavemaker has distributed more than £100,000 of digital equipment to local communities, to hubs and organisations as well as to individuals who lack access to computer equipment at home.
It was launched in June 2015 by co-founders and directors Alex Rowley, who was born and bred in Stoke-on-Trent, and University of Staffordshire alumni Ben McManus.
Alex said: “By taking a fresh, innovative approach to digital inclusion we are not just helping people get online, we are transforming lives, strengthening communities and ensuring no one is left behind in the digital world.”
Wavemaker is revolutionising the delivery of digital skills training with its DigitAll learning platform and Wavemaker Connect hubs.
By empowering community organisations with equipment, training and ongoing digital support it has created a sustainable model that fosters digital inclusion at grassroots level.
Wavemaker Connect empowers established community organisations and spaces to become a hub of digital inclusion. Instead of asking people to come to them, Wavemaker equips community organisations, libraries and community lounges with digital devices, training and access to its DigitAll platform, allowing them to deliver training independently.
The innovation lies in shifting digital training from a centralised model to a community-led one, ensuring digital skills support is sustainable and scalable.
Wavemaker has entered the Innovation Award and Business in the Community categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Iron Maidens Commercial Laundry
Innovation Award entrant
Iron Maidens Commercial Laundry Ltd aims to transform the commercial laundry industry with its strong focus on sustainability through innovation.
Operating in a sector traditionally associated with high energy and water consumption, the Newcastle-under-Lyme company has introduced cutting-edge technologies and in-house engineered solutions to reduce waste, conserve resources and support the hospitality industry’s journey towards net zero.
Iron Maidens Commercial Laundry has been serving the hospitality industry across Staffordshire, Cheshire and beyond for more than a decade. It works with hotels, restaurants and venues to provide a an eco-conscious linen solution.
What sets Iron Maidens apart is its close-knit team, where employees are more like family than colleagues. Many team members have been with the company for years, fostering a culture of trust, expertise and shared commitment to delivering exceptional service.
This strong team ethos has enabled Iron Maidens to continuously innovate, as employees are empowered to bring fresh ideas to the table and play an active role in shaping the company’s future.
Through a combination of energy-efficient equipment, bespoke chemical dosing systems and waste-reducing initiatives, the company is redefining industry standards and pioneering innovation in commercial laundry.
Innovations include investing in energy-efficient technology and the development of a bespoke, in-house-designed dosing system.
The company has moved to reusable and recyclable packaging with a zero-waste approach including eliminating the need for single-use plastic. The office has become paperless and is moving towards electric delivery vans to minimise its carbon footprint.
Iron Maidens has entered the Innovation Award and Team of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
We Talk Care
Innovation Award entrant
We Talk Care is transforming the way caregivers receive support in the UK. The digital platform has created a strong and inclusive online community for both paid and unpaid carers, offering a space to connect, share experiences, support each other and access valuable resources.
Recognising the challenges caregivers face, from emotional strain to financial hardship, Burslem-based We Talk Care is dedicated to using technology to bridge the huge gaps in caregiver support.
Founder Joe Ndilla is a former NHS employee and ex-carer who understands the stresses and strains of caregiving.
With more than 10 years in the healthcare sector he recognised an urgent need - a safe, dedicated space where caregivers could share their experiences, seek advice and feel less alone.
Joe’s passion for supporting caregivers is also deeply personal as his wife, Sam Ndilla, is a professional carer who provides home care to elderly clients in Staffordshire.
Every day Sam visits 10 to 12 clients, assisting with personal care, mobility and companionship. Seeing first-hand the challenges carers like Sam face such as long hours, emotional strain and a lack of resources, Joe knew he had to create something that could provide real, lasting support and provide a voice for carers.
His personal experiences, coupled with research highlighting the isolation that many caregivers face, drove him to launch We Talk Care in December 2023. The platform now has more than 1,700 subscribers with around 1,500 page views per day demonstrating the growing demand for caregiver support.
For Joe, We Talk Care is more than just a digital platform—it’s a lifeline for those who spend their days caring for others but often have no one to care for them. His vision extends beyond paid carers to family members, young carers and those juggling work with caregiving responsibilities, ensuring that no caregiver feels isolated.
Joe, who has a University of Staffordshire degree in Applied IT, developed his social network project after joining the first cohort of the Peter Coates MSc in Entrepreneurship.
He has entered We Talk Care into the Innovation Award category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.
Time4Sport
Innovation Award entrant
A business that Wayne Glover founded while studying at University of Staffordshire now works with around 7,500 children per week and employs 26 members of staff.
The business, Time4Sport, also has a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University which involves Wayne and his team working with two academics to create an app and platform to support children who are above their ideal weight.
Time4Sport, which has its headquarters at Michelin Sports Centre, works with thousands of children and families across Staffordshire and Cheshire every week.
Time4Sport was established in 2007 and has been built on a desire to improve the lives of children and families through PE and sport, with a passion for promoting the benefits of healthy living. It is a physical education, physical activity, sport, health and wellbeing service provider and delivers activities in schools and directly to families. It offers school services, extra-curricular clubs, Time4Swimming, holiday camps and Time4Wellbeing.
The business began when founder and Managing Director Wayne was studying for a degree in Sports Development and Coaching.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I graduated so in the summer between my second and third year I went to the US and did some coaching,” he said.
“Then in my final year, before I graduated in 2005, I did coaching at schools. I saw a teacher trying to deliver what I had delivered and realised that primary schools weren’t being supported to deliver high quality PE sessions.”
Wayne was able to join an enterprise fellowship scheme through the University after pitching his business idea. He received support for the first two years, has business space at the University for two years and received start-up funding.
“I received £6,000 funding to get the business up and running. Halfway through the programme there was a competition for an additional £6,000 of funding, which Time4Sport won. It made all the difference and Time4Sport is still going all these years later.”
Wayne is passionate about empowering children to build a fitter, healthier and happier future, believing that positive habits formed in childhood lay the foundation for a lifetime of wellbeing.
He has a team of 26 staff and worked with the University’s Unitemps team to recruit an additional 50 temporary staff last summer to support with the Holiday Activities and Food provision for children in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire who are in receipt of income-related free school meals.
Wayne has an ongoing relationship with academics in the University’s sports department and helps to support current students.
“I still have quite a few links with the University of Staffordshire and even work in a number of Staffordshire University Academy Trust schools,” he added.
Wayne has entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards and Time4Sport has entered the Innovation and Business in the Community categories.
Midlands Power Networks
Innovation Award entry
University of Staffordshire alumnus Steve Holmes founded Midlands Power Networks in 2004 to provide constant, consistent support within the high voltage electrical industry including design, consultancy, installation, inspection, maintenance and lifelong services.
Still privately owned and with a headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent, Midlands Power Networks works with businesses nationwide, from Glasgow to Southampton. It currently looks after 140 customers at 287 sites around the UK for maintenance services.
As the nation’s demand for electricity increases it was noted that Midlands Power Networks callouts were becoming more frequent. With customers all over the UK, it was potentially several hours before a Senior Authorised Person (SAP) from Midlands Power Network could reach them. Steve Holmes had long had the idea for a ‘105PowerOff’ app as a solution but technology hadn’t quite caught up with him, until now.
In partnership with Innovate UK and University of Staffordshire University through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, Midlands Power Networks is weeks away from a minimal viable product (MVP), which will revolutionise emergency call out for customers day or night at the touch of a few buttons.
The app holds each customer’s asset register and records and not only provides information as to possible causes but also highlights to any attending engineers any specific risks on that site ensuring they are well informed before arriving on site and HSE compliant. Not only will this minimise downtime it also reduces the risk for environmental impact and insurance claims.
Combining several cutting-edge technologies, AI to not only assist the customer in identifying their emergency but also the engineer in resolution; new location tracking, as yet not available in the world except within this app, and even predictive analysis to help prevent failures before they happen but it doesn’t stop there
This app is looking to partner with an industry system to create a recognised qualification that is verified and monitored so that customers know the person attending has the relevant skills, qualifications and experience to safely and professionally restore power.
The app will also record attendances and their outcomes and customers will be able to leave reviews.
The app, 105PowerOff, has been set up completely independently of Midlands Power Networks to provide a non-compete platform for all high voltage service providers throughout the UK
Freelance SAPs will be able to declare their availability and supplement their income when between jobs or in the evenings.
Midlands Power Networks has entered the Innovation Award category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards for its 105PowerOff app.