The success and ingenuity of organisations from across Staffordshire and beyond has been celebrated at this year’s Breaking the Mould awards.

The awards shine a spotlight on the region’s innovative businesses, entrepreneurs, not-for-profits and charities that have benefitted from the range of collaboration opportunities available with Keele University.

In keeping with the theme of celebrating innovation and “breaking the mould”, the event prides itself on moving beyond the traditional awards ceremony format by delivering a unique combination of surprise musical performances, and locally-sourced ethical food and drink, interspersed with inspiring stories of local organisations making a real difference in the area.

This year’s awards were hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky, one of television’s best-loved broadcasters, and covered ten wide-ranging categories, the winners of which are listed below. 

• Apnea Tech, winners of the Health and Wellbeing award, sponsored by Thea Pharmaceuticals 
• Velorim, winners of the Sustainable Futures award, sponsored by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council  
• Expert Citizens, winners of the Social Inclusion award, sponsored by Synectics Solutions 
• Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, winners of the Cultivating Talent award, sponsored by We Are Staffordshire 
• River Canal Rescue, winners of the Leading Innovation award, sponsored by Staffordshire County Council 
• Earth Stories Film Festival, winners of the Entrepreneurial Student of the Year award, sponsored by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce 
• VUIT Online, winners of the Digital Futures award, sponsored by Concentric Solutions 
• TMT First, winners of the Going for Growth award, sponsored by EQUANS UK (Highly commended – Concentric Solutions) 
• SH:24, winners of the Keele University Science and Innovation Park Company of the Year, sponsored by Biocomposites (Runner up – Socially Grown) 
• TMT First, winners of the Collaboration of the Year award, sponsored by Charles River Laboratories.

On receiving the flagship Collaboration of the Year, Adam Whitehouse, Chief Executive of TMT First, said: “Our collaborations with Keele University stretch back many years. “Some of the work we have done with Keele University has enabled us to develop technologies that no one else in the UK has and enabled us to grow our business.”

Professor Trevor McMillan OBE, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, added: “The calibre of nominations received for this year’s awards was very impressive, with so many remarkable and inspirational stories from all corners and sectors of our region.

“Congratulations to all of our winners – they have truly embraced the power of collaborative working and are a testament to the impact that partnerships between universities and enterprises can have on the local area. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended the ceremony, submitted a nomination or supported through sponsorship, without whom these awards wouldn’t have been the success that they have been.”

For more information about the awards, visit keele.ac.uk/breakingthemould.