Businesses that make fuel cells which could power the green revolution, which develop fitness data tech, and which use space data to monitor water supplies around the world are among the winners of the 2022 LeicestershireLive Innovation Awards.
The awards ceremony has taken place at the King Power Stadium, recognising the regional businesses, innovations and individuals which have changed, or are about to change, the way we live.
This year’s Innovator of the Year Award went to Nemaura Medical, which also picked up the award for Innovation in MedTech and Life Sciences, and which was runner up in the Innovation in Health and Wellbeing category.
Loughborough-based Nemaura is a medical technology company that makes non-invasive wearable diagnostic devices.
The 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, honouring an outstanding individual who has been an inspiring leader of innovation over the course of their career, went to Prof Kamlesh Khunti, professor of Primary Care Diabetes & Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, who helps lead the Leicester Diabetes Centre.
It was given in recognition of his dedication to helping people with diabetes and helping drive research into the impact of Covid-19 at the start of the pandemic. He is also a member of the SAGE advisory group to the Government.
He said: "Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine when I arrived as an immigrant to Leicester 50 years ago that I would get a Lifetime Achievement Award from my wonderful city."
Other awards were presented for innovations in everything from space tech and research, to food and drink manufacturing, manufacturing in general and best university student innovation.
Headline sponsors this year were the University of Leicester, De Montfort University and Morningside Pharmaceuticals.
The 2022 category sponsors were Mira Technology Institute, Loughborough University, Howes Percival, Acute Business Advisory and Business Gateway Growth Hub.
Host for the evening was BBC Travel Show presenter and Metro UK technology editor Lucy Hedges, who praised the “phenomenal ingenuity and creativity happening right here on our doorstep”.
She said: “The nominations this year blew our judges away and prove how much talent and innovation there is in Leicestershire.”
Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor at De Montfort University, said she had been inspired by all of the winners’ stories.
She said: "The fact that these stories come from all kinds of different sectors - businesses from opera to YouTube fitness and cutting-edge hydrogen power - just shows the strength and depth of Leicestershire’s innovators.
“Every story, every product, service or business we have heard about tonight is unique. But together, they show how important it is that we create space for innovation at every level.
“Creating a culture of innovation here in Leicestershire means giving all of you here the support you need to succeed. We have to collaborate, and build that climate for change that encourages companies, innovators, funders, universities to get the best out of themselves and from each other.”
Professor Philip Baker, Pro Vice Chancellor, Research & Enterprise from University of Leicester, told guests: “So many people in this room are leading the way in their field and it’s great for us to come together to celebrate you all.
“It’s events like this, and the opportunity to hear about so many inspiring stories, that make me proud to work in this city and at one of its universities.
“This year, the University of Leicester is celebrating its 100th birthday. Many of you may know, we were founded in the wake of the First World War as a symbol of hope – where higher education brought people together after an unprecedented global conflict to forge a brighter future.
“A University founded by the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. And for 100 years, our pioneering research and innovation has transformed lives, not only locally, but also nationally and globally.
