Breaking the Mould awards return in person for first time post-pandemic

Nominations are now open for an innovative Keele University awards ceremony celebrating the best of business and enterprise in Staffordshire.

The Breaking the Mould awards return in person this October for the first time post-pandemic and will once again be held at Keele University’s Smart Innovation Hub.

Breaking the Mould shines a spotlight on the growing number of innovation-led organisations, businesses, not-for-profits and charities that have benefitted from the suite of innovative support programmes that are available from Keele University.

In keeping with the theme of celebrating innovation and “breaking the mould”, the evening promises to leave behind the traditional awards ceremony format and celebrate the creativity and collaborative spirit of the area’s business community, with performances and entertainment adding to the spectacle.

This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy, the award-winning broadcast journalist and presenter. As well as daily news he also presents foreign affairs documentaries, travelling to some of the planet’s most far flung and dangerous places. Krishnan also hosts a popular award-winning podcast and has appeared on multiple entertainment programmes and panel shows.

The eight award categories this year are:

• Health and Wellbeing Award
• Sustainability Award
• Social Inclusion Award
• Cultivating Talent Award
• Science and Innovation Park Company of the Year Award
• Leading Innovation Award
• Enterprising Student of the Year Award
• Collaboration of the Year Award

Ann Pittard, Director of Engagement and Partnerships, said:

“Breaking the Mould is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary work our partners, students and graduates do, not just to support the local economy, but also achieve impacts for the environment, health and wellbeing, and inclusion.  Those who’ve enjoyed the event in the past will know that this is not a traditional black tie evening.  It is about putting our values centre stage throughout the evening and enjoying new and unexpected creative experiences that are both entertaining and help us all think differently.”

To submit a nomination, and for more information about eligibility criteria, visit https://www.keele.ac.uk/business/breakingthemould/