Rob McLoughlin OBE, Educate North Awards Founder, said: “2019 was a standing room-only event with record attendance, record entries and, according to the judges, a superbly high standard of competitiveness.
“We saw victories for Newcastle University in highly competitive categories, judges split and forced to award highly commended certificates to University of York, wins for UCLan, Tyne Coast College, the fabulous Juice Academy and Backstage Academy, as well Newcastle College and Grimsby Institute, and Nelson and Colne in Lancashire.
“Liverpool John Moores University and Teesside University competed in categories with eye catching entries.
“It was wonderful to see Professor Tim Wheeler receive a lifetime achievement award as he retires from an amazing transformation of The University of Chester, and great to see Dave Clayton, a student in Lancashire, pick up £1,000 and a trophy to write a business plan as the audience voted for his ‘bright’ idea Wot Wud U Do, a behavioural app. He pitched live in front of the audience with two other good ideas and walked away with the cash and hopefully a flying start.”
The Educate North Awards are supported by Prolific North and produced in association with Don’t Panic Events. 2019’s edition opened with a keynote speech from Professor Tony Young, Head of Clinical Innovation for NHS England.
Young discussed his journey from a low-income family in Essex, to become a leading surgeon and creator of The NHS Clinical Entrepreneurs Programme, which has attracted more than £120 million for smart new ideas from medics.
Professor Phil Harris, Chairman of the judging panel, said: “2020 will see new categories, new innovations, but the same rigour – as we celebrate world-class success in a sector which is undergoing major change and unique challenges but which is vital for the economic and intellectual growth of the North.”
We'll need your details by November 4th
