Innovation Awards Judging:  The Depth and Breadth of Innovation, reflection from Safaraz Ali

Innovation Awards: The Depth and Breadth of Innovation Continue to Surprise-and Inspire

By Safaraz Ali | Judge, Innovation Awards

Each year, when I judge entries for the Innovation Awards, I think I’ve seen it all. And yet, each time, I’m proven wrong. The depth and breadth of innovation across the UK-and especially here in the West Midlands-continue to surprise, inspire, and energise.

Now in my third year as a judge, I’ve seen first-hand how these awards showcase the very best of British ingenuity-not only in products and technology but also in people, process, and purpose. From advanced manufacturing and sustainability breakthroughs to creative industries, health tech and education, innovation remains the defining driver of our nation’s resilience and renewal.

Innovation Is Not Just About Newness-It’s About Purpose

The Innovation Awards aren’t just about rewarding novelty. They celebrate impactful innovation-ideas that change how we live, work and grow.

The judging framework emphasises five crucial dimensions:

1. The degree of innovation demonstrated in the past year.
2. The measurable impact on the business-growth, productivity, sustainability or efficiency.
3. The wider impact on customers, community or industry.
4. Evidence of an internal culture of innovation and forward planning.
5. The ability to set an example others can follow.

This framework challenges entrants to go beyond good ideas and prove meaningful, measurable change.

Last year’s Innovation Awards highlighted exactly that-from breakthrough energy and mobility projects to new digital platforms reshaping entire sectors. They reminded us that innovation is not the privilege of a few-it’s the responsibility of us all.

Why Innovation Matters More Than Ever

In the West Midlands, where legacy industries meet modern disruption, innovation isn’t optional-it’s survival. The Awards act as a barometer of regional renewal, showing what’s possible when creativity meets courage, and when ideas are backed by action.

The judges were looking for entrants who:

• Create opportunities for under-represented groups.
• Embed skills, training or employability into their business models.
• Demonstrate scalability and transferability-not just one-off brilliance.
• Provide evidence of measurable outcomes, not just intention.
• Reflect the UK’s current challenges-and propose real, sustainable solutions.

Categories That Reflect the Power of Possibility

A few stand-out categories this year include:

• Manufacturing Innovator of the Year – showcasing industrial excellence and process transformation.
• Sustainability Innovator of the Year – addressing the net-zero challenge with measurable impact.
• Technology Innovator of the Year – for digital and data-led solutions creating new value.
• Creative Industries Innovator of the Year – where imagination meets commercial acumen.
• Education Innovator of the Year – bridging learning with future skills and employability.
• Innovation Thought Leader (Organisation & Individual) – recognising those who create ecosystems where others can innovate and thrive.

Each category represents a piece of the puzzle-proof that innovation doesn’t belong to one sector, but to the collective effort of all.

Over the years, I’ve read hundreds of submissions. The ones that stand out share a few common traits:

• Start with the “why.” Explain the problem or opportunity that drove your innovation.
• Demonstrate impact. Use data, metrics and stories that show real-world difference.
• Be authentic. Avoid jargon. Speak to people, not panels.
• Show your culture. Innovation isn’t a one-off-it’s a mindset built into how your team thinks and acts.
• Look forward. Judges love to see that you’re building for the future, not just celebrating the past.

Final Reflection

Every year, I’m reminded that innovation is both an art and a discipline-a blend of vision and execution. It’s not confined to labs or tech hubs; it happens in care homes, classrooms, and construction sites.

Congratulations to all entrants, nominees and winners-your ideas continue to shape the future we all share.