Breaking the Mould awards
Breaking the Mould shines a spotlight on the growing innovation-led organisations, businesses, not-for-profits and charities that have benefitted from the suite of innovative support initiatives that are available from Keele University.
Keele University’s landmark celebration of organisations from across Staffordshire and beyond – Breaking the Mould – returns for 2025, with more categories than ever before
Since launching in 2019, the awards have recognised more than 100 businesses, organisations and individuals for their innovation, ingenuity and success, celebrating the creativity and collaborative spirit of the area’s business community.
Health and Wellbeing
Sponsored by Théa Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Apnea-Tech Ltd
- Beat the Cold
- Eureka Inventions Ltd
- The Listening Centre (winner)
Sustainable Futures
Sponsored by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
- GivEnergy (winner)
- Residential Energy Support CIC
Student Placement and Project Provider of the Year
Sponsored by RSK
- Brampton Museum and Art Gallery
- Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent
- Concentric Solutions (winner)
- Enterprise Mobility
- Mondrem Group
- Philip Astley Projects CIC
- Positive Steps Physiotherapy
Graduate Employers of the Year
Sponsored by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
- bet365 (winner)
- Mondrem Group
Social Inclusion
Sponsored by New Vic Theatre
- Brampton Museum and Art Gallery (winner)
- BSL Communication Service Ltd
Digital Futures
Sponsored by Caja
- Beat the Cold
- Hixon Group (winner)
- VUIT Data Labs
Going for Growth
Sponsored by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
- Alliance Medical
- Hixon Group
- Mondrem Group
- PH Production Services (highly commended)
- Sempar (winner)
Placement Student of the Year
Sponsored by Concentric Solutions
- Michael Wallis - Loopmasters (within the Beatport Group)
- Yash Gavali - Mondrem Group
- Hollie Franks - More Than Just Design Limited (winner)
- Brooke Leah Phillips - Positive Steps Physiotherapy
- Ishraat Bhuiyan - Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (Deeside Engine Plant) (highly commended)
Leading Innovation
Sponsored by Staffordshire County Council
- Apnea-Tech Ltd (winner)
- Beat the Cold
- The Listening Centre
Outstanding Academic Collaborator
Sponsored by Lucideon
- Dr Colin Rigby (winner)
- Dr Charlene Greenwood (winner)
Science and Innovation Park Company of the Year
Sponsored by Biocomposites
- Alliance Medical
- EM Resolutions (winner)
- Mondrem Group (highly commended)
- Relex
- Théa Pharmaceuticals Limited
Partnership of the Year
Sponsored by British Business Bank
- Biocomposites (winner)
- Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent
- Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group
- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
Winners were announced during the Breaking the Mould awards event on Thursday 16 October 2025.
Working for ITV News, Manali Lukha is head of their Millbank Studios based in the heart of Westminster.
The studios support ITV’s political and weather output, where Manali leads a team of political correspondents, weather presenters and broadcast engineers.
Prior to her role at ITV, Manali worked for the Met Office, the national meteorological service for the UK, progressing her career from a software programmer to Business Development Manager.
Manali graduated from Keele in 1996 with a degree in Geography & Geology, and completed a Master’s in Information Technology in 1997.
Manali is also Chair of ITV's International Ambassador Network, member of council for the Royal Meteorological Society, and member of the Climate Ambassadors steering group.
Our sponsors
A big thank you to our Breaking the Mould 2025 sponsors:
| Event sponsor | British Business Bank |
| Gold sponsor | Biocomposites |
| Health and Wellbeing | Thea Pharmaceuticals |
| Sustainable Futures | Staffordshire Wildlife Trust |
| Student Placement and Project Provider of the Year | RSK |
| Graduate Employer of the Year | Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce |
| Social Inclusion | New Vic |
| Digital Futures | Caja |
| Going for Growth | Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council |
| Placement Student of the Year | Concentric Solutions |
| Leading Innovation | Staffordshire County Council |
| Science and Innovation Park Company of the Year | Biocomposites |
| Outstanding Academic Collaborator (Commercial Partnerships) | Lucideon |
| Partnership of the Year | British Business Bank |
Case studies
Hear from businesses who have gone from strength to strength after collaborating with Keele and winning a Breaking the Mould award.
Breaking the Mould 2025
Highlights from Breaking the Mould 2025
Keep up to date
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