Winners of the 2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards announced

Nottinghamshire company Lindhurst Innovation Engineers has been crowned the winner of the 2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards.

The firm was named the Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2012 for the development of ground-breaking technology to turn waste into renewable energy.

Lindhurst Innovation Engineers, based at Midland Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, worked with the University of Nottingham and Arla Foods to use microbial fuel cell technology to break down food waste using anaerobic digestion and create biogas.

In conjunction with academics, researchers and industry partners, the company is also working on other innovative techniques to help the food and drink sector reduce its environmental impact and become more efficient.  

The judges said: “The judges couldn't help but be impressed with this project. The company is presenting a more rounded approach to positive impact, and is making anaerobic digestion more accessible to smaller companies. Lindhurst Innovation Engineers is a shining example within the sector.”

Earlier at the event, Lindhurst also took the top spot in The Food and Drink Forum Most Innovative Positive Impact category at the awards, which were being held for the fifth year.
 

Other award winners at the event held at Athena in Leicester were:

• Dovedale Foods based in St John Street, Ashbourne, and with a manufacturing unit at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, who were awarded The Clegg Food Projects Ltd Most Innovative Business Growth Award for the creation of Agile Manufacturing  (a term applied to an organisation that has created the processes, tools, and training to enable it to respond quickly to customer needs and market changes while still controlling costs and quality) to support the scaling up of manufacture of Dovedale's Sauces for Choice brand, with capacity to offer short-run production to other local small enterprises struggling with the capacity requirements of larger contract manufacturers. 

The judges said: “Dovedale Foods has shown innovation for its own business, and of value to other smaller businesses. The company is meeting a real need whilst having a flexible approach.”

• Moonshine Drinks Ltd, based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, who received The Nottingham Trent University Most Innovative New Product Development Award for developing a revolutionary home brew system to create quality real ales by simply adding tap water into the unique laminated bag to achieve ABV of 4%+.

The judges said: “The home brewing market is growing and this project offers good potential. Moonshine Drinks Ltd is approaching the project in a very flexible way. They have real exporting potential.”

• Just Egg, based at Hilltop Road, Hamilton Industrial Park, Leicester, and the University of Leicester, who received The Food and Drink Forum Most Innovative Collaboration Award for working in collaboration, with support from the Food and Drink iNet, to explore a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable way of disposing of the firm’s egg shell waste. The company is now well on its way to using the egg shells in the reformulation of plastic to make recycled packaging to protect their egg-based products. 

The judges said: “This is an excellent example of collaboration between academia, the industry and the iNet. This project has caused interest worldwide and has game changing potential. It’s a great example of lateral thinking.”

Business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum organised the awards ceremony on behalf of The Food and Drink iNet, which co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands.

 

Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall said: “Once again we have seen some tremendous examples of innovation in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands, and I’d like to congratulate the winners of this year’s awards.”

Each category winner receives one free place to a Campden BRI conference or seminar of their choice during the 12 months following the award ceremony, plus a day of PR support. The champion receives two additional free places to a Campden BRI conference or seminar of their choice during the 12 months following the award ceremony, plus an additional day of PR support.

The winners of the Food and Drink Forum Most Innovative Positive Impact category and the Food and Drink Forum Most Innovative Collaboration category each receive a free day’s consultancy from The Food and Drink Forum.

Clegg Food Projects will provide a complimentary visit to the site of the winner of the Most Innovative Business Growth Award to provide advice or information to support the business in process or facility improvement.

The winner of the Nottingham Trent University Most Innovative New Product Development Award receives a voucher to be used towards one of NTU’s food courses.

Around 130 representatives from the food and drink sector across the East Midlands and beyond attended the award ceremony event, which was hosted by comedian Ian Moore.

Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. It has developed an effective network to encourage the collaboration of academic expertise and knowledge, and local food and drink business innovation needs.

It aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes.  

The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by The Food and Drink Forum and including Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information about the iNet visit www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
 

Tickets on sale for 2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards

Tickets have now gone on sale for the 2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards ceremony which is regarded as one of the highlights of the food and drink sector calendar in the East Midlands.

Comedian Ian Moore will be hosting this year’s ceremony, which takes place at Athena in Leicester on November 15th.

Ian, pictured, who has toured with the likes of Jack Dee and Lee Evans, made such an impact in the sell-out Britcom show at Montreal’s Just For Laughs that he was invited to headline the festival's finale.

The Innovation Awards, which are being held for the fifth year, recognise and reward the brightest ideas in the East Midlands’ food and drink sector.

Judges are now going through the award entries, with the short-listed companies and organisations expected to be announced soon.

“Over the past few years our Innovation Awards have shone the spotlight on some excellent work in the food and drink sector in the region in terms of innovation,” said Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall. “Innovation is a key building block to growth. We are looking forward to hearing about details of some of the latest projects, and to sharing them with the sector at the Innovation Awards ceremony in November.

“The evening is also the perfect chance to network and catch up with colleagues from across the East Midlands.”

There are four award categories this year – the Clegg Food Projects Ltd Business Growth Award, the Nottingham Trent University New Product Development Award, the Positive Impact Award, and the Collaboration Award, with the overall winner crowned the Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2012.

Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. It has developed an effective network to encourage the collaboration of academic expertise and knowledge, and local food and drink business innovation needs.

It aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes.

The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by The Food and Drink Forum and including Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information about the iNet visit www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk

Tickets for the Innovation Awards cost £69.50 plus vat per person, with discounts for members of the Food and Drink Forum, and are available by contacting the events team on 0115 9758810.

Some sponsoring, table hosting and exhibiting opportunities are available for the event. Contact the events team for details.

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Comedian to host 2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards

Comedian Ian Moore will be hosting this year’s Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards, it has been revealed.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony at Athena in Leicester on November 15th. Ian, who has toured with the likes of Jack Dee and Lee Evans, made such an impact in the sell-out Britcom show at Montreal’s Just For Laughs that he was invited to headline the festival's finale.

“We are very pleased to announce that Ian Moore will be the host for the 2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards,” said Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall. “Ian has experience of hosting award ceremonies, and is also a very funny after-dinner speaker.”

The 2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards recognise and reward the brightest ideas in the East Midlands’ food and drink sector.

Being held for the fifth year, the awards recognise and reward the use of innovation in the region’s food and drink sector as a way of boosting development, profitability and growth.

There are four award categories this year – Business Growth Award, the Nottingham Trent University New Product Development Award, the Positive Impact Award, and the Collaboration Award, with the overall winner crowned the Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2012.

A range of sponsorship opportunities are still available, including award categories, table hosting and exhibition space, which will provide valuable promotion in front of food and drink professionals from across the East Midlands.

The deadline for entries has now been extended to Tuesday August 28th. Forms are available to download from the iNet section of the Food and Drink Forum website www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

Tickets for the event will be going on sale soon. To secure a place early please contact the events team on 0115 9758810.

Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands.

It has developed an effective network to encourage the collaboration of academic expertise and knowledge, and local food and drink business innovation needs.

It aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes.

The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by The Food and Drink Forum and including Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham.

It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information about the iNet visit www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk

For further information about the Innovation Awards or sponsorship opportunities call 0115 9758810.

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Past Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards champion urges entries to this year’s awards

Entries are now being accepted for the 2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards which recognise and reward the brightest ideas in the East Midlands food and drink sector.

Last year’s overall winner, which received the title of Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2011, was a team from the University of Leicester Space Research Centre, who applied space technology to allow the detection of fake whisky through the bottle.

Tim Maskell, from the university, said that news of the award win had brought publicity and interest from around the world, as well as potential customers for the technology and additional investment.

“The team at the University of Leicester were very proud and honoured that their Spectral ID counterfeit detection project was chosen as Innovation Champion, as well as Champion of Champions, in the 2011 Food and Drink iNet awards,” he said.

“This is an exciting project for the authentication of high value consumer drinks – such as whisky – that does not require opening the bottle. As a result of winning the awards last November we have received much publicity and interest in our novel test from around the world. In particular we have received serious enquiries from potential early adopters in the whisky and fine wine markets. We have been successful in raising new investment to fund further product development, and have recently established a new spin out company as the vehicle for the wider commercial exploitation of our technology.

“We are very grateful to the Food and Drink iNet for their encouragement and support without which this would not have happened.”

Being held for the fifth year, the awards recognise and reward the use of innovation in the region’s food and drink sector as a way of boosting development, profitability and growth.

There are four categories this year – business growth, new product development, positive impact, and collaboration. Winners of all categories will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony and gala dinner in November before one of the winners is crowned Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2012.

Entries are being invited from companies, researchers and individuals across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.

Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall said: “We are delighted to hear that winning the title of Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2011 at last year’s Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards brought so many benefits to the team at the University of Leicester.

“Our annual innovation awards are free to enter, and create great, positive exposure for the short-listed and winning companies and organisations. We’re looking forward to hearing about the exciting projects and developments that are currently going on, and I’d urge companies, individuals and researchers to enter as soon as possible.”

Forms are available to download from the iNet section of the Food and Drink Forum website www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk and need to be submitted by August 17th 2012.

A range of sponsorship opportunities are also available, including award categories and table sponsorship, which will provide valuable promotion in front of food and drink professionals from across the East Midlands.

Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. It has developed an effective network to encourage the collaboration of academic expertise and knowledge, and local food and drink business innovation needs.

It aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes.

The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by The Food and Drink Forum and including Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information about the iNet visit www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk

For further information about the Innovation Awards or sponsorship opportunities call 0115 9758810.

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards launched

The search for the brightest ideas in the East Midlands food and drink sector has started with the launch of the 2012 Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards.

Being held for the fifth year, the awards recognise and reward the use of innovation in the region’s food and drink sector as a way of boosting development, profitability and growth.

They will turn the spotlight on outstanding inventions or products, exceptional creativity, and innovative working practices in the industry across the East Midlands.

There are four categories this year – business growth, new product development, positive impact, and collaboration. Winners of all categories will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony and gala dinner in November before one of the winners is crowned Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2012.

Last year’s category winners included Nottingham Bakery Butt Foods, which won the Most Innovative Food and Drink Business for introducing new practices which generated a 40% growth in sales, and Lincolnshire company Libaeration, which was named Most Innovative Business Supplying into the Food and Drink Sector for its development of the world’s first alcoholic foam used to enhance coffee, desserts and cocktails.

The Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2011 was a team from the University of Leicester Space Research Centre.

 Having scooped the award for Most Innovative Research Project, it went on to be crowned overall innovation champion for its application of space technology to detect fake whisky – without having to open the bottle.

News of the research and its potential for fighting the war against counterfeit whisky, wine and other liquids has since spread worldwide and could have wider applications, possibly transferring into areas such as airport security.

Now the hunt has begun for this year’s winners across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.

Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall said: “Our annual innovation awards, which are free to enter, have previously showcased and celebrated some really exciting and progressive projects in the food and drink sector within businesses and the universities. They illustrate the vibrant nature of the industry in the region, at a time of tough economic conditions. I am sure this year’s entries will be just as interesting.

“The Food and Drink Innovation Awards have become an important date on the sector’s calendar and an excellent opportunity to recognise and reward work being carried out in the East Midlands.”

He urged all eligible firms and organisations to put themselves forward so that they were in contention for the kind of exposure gained by the University of Leicester team. Forms are available to download from the iNet section of the Food and Drink Forum website http://www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk/and need to be submitted by August 17th 2012.

A range of sponsorship opportunities are also available, including award categories and table sponsorship, which will provide valuable promotion in front of food and drink professionals from across the East Midlands.

Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. It has developed an effective network to encourage the collaboration of academic expertise and knowledge, and local food and drink business innovation needs.

It aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes.

The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by The Food and Drink Forum and including Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.

For more information about the iNet visit http://www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk/

For further information about the Innovation Awards or sponsorship opportunities call 0115 9758810.

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR http://www.perfect10pr.co.uk/

Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards winners announced

Nottingham Trent University’s School of Science and Technology has been crowned the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Champion 2009 for the development of an exciting new material for food and drink packaging.


Experts at the university successfully solved the problem of leaching in bottles and have taken the technology a step further to add antimicrobial properties which kill or lessen micro-organisms.

During a gala dinner and awards ceremony at Athena in Leicester, the university’s School of Science and Technology was presented with The Food and Drink Forum Innovation Champion 2009 award by TV presenter, writer and foodie Hardeep Singh Kohli.

The judges said of the project: “This has the potential to revolutionise the packaging industry and represents a big shift in thinking.”

A number of other awards were also presented during the evening, which attracted 150 representatives from across the East Midlands food and drink sector and was designed to celebrate the uptake and implementation of innovation in the industry in the region.

The winner of the University of Lincoln National Centre for Food Manufacturing Award for Most Innovative SME Food and Drink Manufacturer went to Thornbridge Brewery, Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire. The producer of high quality craft beers launched in 2005 in a ten barrel brewery, and has just opened a new 30 barrel brewery and bottling line after demand outstripped supply.

Judges said: “It is good to see an SME using state-of-the-art technology. We applaud the proactive approach of the brewery’s business drive.”

The winner of the Campden BRI Award for Most Innovative Business across the Food and Drink Supply Chain was presented to Eistechnik, Loughborough, Leicestershire, for the development and advancement of eutectic refrigeration units for trucks, which are more environmentally friendly and less noisy than traditional transport refrigeration methods.

Judges said: “The adaptation of ‘forgotten’ technology ticks all the right innovation and environmental boxes to make this a worthy winner.”

- The CenFRA Award for Most Innovative Research Project was presented to Nottingham Trent University, School of Science and Technology for adapting existing technology to create an innovative solution to solve leaching problems in bottles, and for taking the technology a step further by adding antimicrobial properties which kill or lessen micro-organisms. This project also went on to win The Food and Drink Forum Innovation Champion 2009 award.

Judges said: “After providing a real evidence of need, this research offers a solution that has the potential to transform the packaging industry.”

The Food Processing Faraday Award for Most Innovative Large Food and Drink Manufacturer went to Marshalls (part of the Produce World Group), Butterwick, Boston, for the development of a sweeter tasting broccoli, known as bellaverde® and launched in July 2009, created in conjunction with Seminis, the largest developer, grower and marketer of fruit and vegetable seeds.

Judges said: “Lots of determination and effort has been shown to create a new breed of broccoli to be grown in the UK, rather than import one.”

The Nottingham Trent University Award for Most Innovative Business in the Wider Food Sector was presented to Mem Saab, for the establishment of their own tandoori and Indian cuisine skills centre to train chefs for their five tandoori restaurants in the Midlands, including the latest addition to the group, High Cross Restaurant in Leicester. The group has Mem Saab restaurants in Leicester, Northampton, Leamington Spa and Banbury, and trades under the name of City Buffet, Friar Lane, Nottingham.

Judges said: “This represents a proactive approach in addressing a skills shortage problem.”

Peter Maycock, Project Director for the Food and Drink iNet, said: “The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards have once again shown the high standard of research and enterprise that is being undertaken in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. We have been delighted to see the exciting range of innovation, and congratulate all the winners.”

The Food and Drink iNet is aiming to foster innovation in the region’s food and drink sector by encouraging businesses to turn new ideas into new business through the development of new technologies and products. It’s also hoping to stimulate new processes, services and ways of working in the industry to help boost the sector.

Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda), the Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by the Food & Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham.

David Wallace, Innovation Director at East Midlands Development Agency (emda), said: “This year we have seen innovation in areas as diverse as the development of antimicrobial agents to kill micro-organisms in bottles, to more environmentally-friendly refrigeration systems - and even the creation of a new form of broccoli.

“These awards demonstrate that businesses in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands are at the forefront of the development and implementation of new and exciting ideas. This is why we believe that it is so important to support and promote innovation in the region through the iNet. I hope that other entrepreneurs in the industry will be inspired by the tremendous achievements of all of the winners and nominees.”

BSP Consulting named Consultant of the Year

Structural and civil engineering firm BSP Consulting has been crowned Consultant of the Year 2009 at the East Midlands Property Dinner.

The firm, which has offices in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, was presented with the award at the annual event held at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.

The judges said: “BSP may be a young firm, but it has contributed so much to the market in such a short space of time. It just pipped the others in a category that was very keenly fought this year.”

The accolade comes as BSP Consulting celebrates its tenth anniversary, having been launched in Nottingham in 1999.

“We were delighted and proud to be awarded the prestigious title of Consultant of the Year 2009 at the East Midlands Property Dinner,” said BSP Consulting managing director David Sumner.

“This is a terrific achievement for the BSP team. I would like to pay tribute to everyone at the company, and thank our valued clients and partners, who have supported BSP as the firm has developed. It was an absolute honour to receive this award in front of our industry peers.”

BSP Consulting provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents. Based in the East Midlands, the firm has contracts across the UK, and is currently working on a wide variety of projects from regeneration schemes to retirement projects.

The company has framework agreements with three different development groups working in the social and affordable housing sector.

BSP employs almost 40 people across its three offices in the East Midlands – at Oxford Street, Nottingham, Pride Park, Derby, and De Montfort Street, Leicester.

The Consultant of the Year 2009 award was presented at the East Midlands Property Dinner in front of a crowd of 500 property professionals. Gyles Brandreth was the compere. The event was run by Insider Media.

Pictured from left to right, BSP Consulting director Clive Roddick, Shelagh Coates from award sponsor Invest Lincolnshire, and Carl Hilton, associate director at BSP.

Last call for entries for Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards

Firms and organisations planning to enter this year’s Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards are being urged to submit their entries as soon as possible.


The deadline for entries to the awards, which celebrate and reward new and improved ways of working in the East Midlands’ food and drink industry, is October 2nd.

Tickets have also gone on sale for the awards ceremony event on November 17th at Athena, Leicester, which is expected to be one of the highlights of the region’s food and drink sector calendar.

The awards will be presented by entertaining writer, presenter and foodie Hardeep Singh Kohli.

“We’ve heard from some really interesting companies and organisations already, so we’re looking forward to going through the entries,” said Richard Adlington, Food and Drink iNet interim project director. “From our work with food and drink firms in the region, we know that there is a tremendous amount of innovation and research going on. The Innovation Awards are the perfect way to highlight and reward that work, which is so important to a vibrant and successful food and drink sector in the East Midlands.”

Organisers are searching for worthy winners from across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. Entry is free.

Hardeep, a Celebrity Masterchef finalist, the author of Indian Takeaway, and a passionate food fan, will reveal the winners of five categories, plus the Food and Drink Forum Innovation Champion 2009, at the awards ceremony.

Last year’s champion was Belper-based fledgling food producer Rico Mexican Kitchen, run by Marcela Flores Newburn.

Entries are being encouraged for the following categories:

• University of Lincoln National Centre for Food Manufacturing Award for Most Innovative SME Food and Drink Manufacturer

This award will recognise small to medium-sized food and drink manufacturers within the East Midlands that have championed innovation projects in order to improve their business.

• Campden BRI Award for Most Innovative Business across the Food and Drink Supply Chain

This award will recognise businesses working in the food and drink supply chain within the East Midlands that have undertaken an innovation project that has benefited the food and drink manufacturing sector.

• Award for Most Innovative Research Project

This award will recognise the most successful research projects undertaken by universities and any other organisations conducting research within the East Midlands that have made a significant beneficial impact on the food and drink sector.

• Food Processing Faraday Award for Most Innovative Large Food and Drink Manufacturer

This award will recognise large food and drink manufacturers within the East Midlands that have championed innovation projects in order to improve their business.

• Nottingham Trent University Award for Most Innovative Business in the Wider Food Sector

This award will recognise innovation in a food or drink business that is not a manufacturer. Examples of businesses eligible to enter this award include primary producers, restaurants, caterers, delicatessens and local food retailers

• The Food and Drink Forum Innovation Champion Award 2009

The Innovation Champion 2009 will be selected from the winners of each of the above categories.

David Wallace, Innovation Director of East Midlands Development Agency (emda) which funds the Food and Drink iNet, said: “It is great to see the Food and Drink iNet leading the development of the innovation culture in the East Midlands' food and drink sector. Innovation is difficult and daunting, but essential if businesses are to adapt to the unsettling changes in both the economic and natural environments. The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards are especially welcome. Those businesses that innovate successfully deserve to be celebrated."

For the purposes of the awards, innovation is defined as creating value out of new ideas, new products, new services or new ways of doing things. This does not have to be “new to the world” but must be “new to you”.

The Food and Drink iNet aims to foster innovation in the region’s food and drink sector by encouraging businesses to turn new ideas into new business through the development of new technologies and products. It also hopes to stimulate new processes, services and ways of working in the industry to help boost the sector in 2009 and beyond.

Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda), the Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by The Food and Drink Forum and including The Food Processing Faraday Partnership, Nottingham Trent University, The University of Lincoln, and The University of Nottingham.

Sponsorship packages are available for firms who’d like to promote themselves to the East Midlands food and drink sector. Individual tickets to the Innovation Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner cost £65 plus vat.

Any business, organisation or individual interested in entering one of this year’s categories or in sponsorship, or who would like tickets to the awards ceremony, should contact Jo Stevenson on 0115 975 8810 or enquiries@foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

ENDS