Black Country has a good night at the Lord Stafford Awards

Innovative companies from the West Midlands have scooped top prizes in the tenth annual Lord Stafford Awards. Held at the NEC, the awards showcase the companies who have worked with universities and innovation programmes to develop new products or processes. By bringing together the wealth of excellent research and development work produced by Universities and diverse business enterprises, the awards seek to generate increased competitiveness and economic prosperity for the region.

The Enterprising Spirit Award was won by Rachel Westwood, Managing Director of Wolverhampton-based

Skin Scientists Ltd. The 27-year-old set up Skin Scientists early last year to launch the Manceuticals brand which effectively mimics the actions of botox injections. The brand aims to address the growing demand for male cosmeceuticals – skincare products that bridge the gap between plastic surgery and cosmetics in a market worth an estimated £1 billion. Based at Wolverhampton Science Park, Rachel received support from several Advantage West Midlands-funded schemes – including Innovation Networks and Business Link West Midlands. The Manceuticals wrinkle relaxant gel, is already on sale in Harley Street and in outlets across the world.

Rachel Westwood, MD of Skin Scientists, said: “Winning a Lord Stafford Award in only my second year is a real surprise. “We have some really ambitious plans to expand both our sales and our range of products and winning the Lord Stafford Awards will have a major boost for our profile.”
The Impact through Innovation Award was won by Metallisation Ltd, based in Pear Tree Lane, Dudley.
Founded in 1922, the company produces flame spray equipment for anti-corrosion applications and exports more than two-thirds of its produce overseas. Around 5,000 of the units produced by Metallisation are in use around the world at any one time, particularly in countries with extreme weather conditions where metal will rust faster. Managing Director Dr Terry Lester said: “As a company we have to innovate to keep our position in the international market. “The Lord Stafford Award is recognition of these efforts and we’re delighted to be showing that innovation is alive and thriving in the heart of the Black Country.”

The Achievement in Innovation Award was scooped by Morgan Motor Company. The Malvern-based outfit which currently manufacturers 175 Aero 8 and 475 Classic cars every year, is making the most of a series of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) with University of Central England’s ‘Technology Innovation Centre’ to add over £3 million of new sales and boosting the development of future models.
Steve Morris, Operations Director, said: “We’ve enjoyed so many benefits from working with the tic and this is a relationship we’re looking to move forward with even more projects. And the Knowledge Transfer Champion Award was won by Rob Harris, Principal Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton.