The awards were held as part of Innovation Day, the region’s premier Life Science event comprising a conference and exhibition during the day, followed by a gala dinner. Awards were presented in five categories: Start-Up, Export Achievement, Collaboration with the NHS, Innovation and Outstanding Achievement.
Datalink Electronics Ltd, based in Loughborough, was a winner in two of the five categories; Export Achievement and Innovation.
Arash Ghadar, Technical Director, said on the night:
“We are thrilled to have won both the Export Achievement and Innovation Award. Datalink is a company that brings engineering, science and commercial sense into the product design and manufacture. We would like to thank Medilink for their continued support.”
The Innovation Award was sponsored by Potter Clarkson LLP, and The Export Achievement award was sponsored by Hospital Aids.
Director Steve Clark, who presented the Export Achievement award, commented:
“Hospital Aids won this category in 2015, so it is a real pleasure to now be supporting the award, and all of the finalists. We offer our congratulations to Datalink Electronics.”
The Start-Up Award, which was sponsored by Franklands Insurance and Risk Management, recognises the achievements of Start-up companies. The 2016 award was presented to Pym’s Consultancy, based in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.
Kate Pym, Managing Director, commented:
“It’s hard to believe that Pym’s Consultancy was established just 2 years ago. The business is going really well and we are delighted to have won the Medilink East Midlands start-up award for 2016.”
Also presented with an award was Personal Care Packs (PCP), a social enterprise that addresses the issue of patients being admitted to hospital without the basic hygiene items they need. PCP won the Collaboration with the NHS award, which was sponsored by the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network.
Martin Hindle, Independent Chair of the EMAHSN, commented:
“Personal Care Packs has made a fantastic contribution to healthcare, and provided vital, innovative support to many patients. It is so important that companies continue to work alongside the NHS, and it’s great to see Medilink EM championing this.”
XenoGesis, based at BioCity, Nottingham, has experienced rapid expansion since establishment in 2011, having successfully created 18 employment opportunities for highly skilled scientists. The company was presented with the Outstanding Achievement award, sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals.
Dr Richard Weaver, Managing Director, XenoGesis, commented:
“It’s great that the awards judges have recognised our accomplishments, and to have won the Medilink East Midlands Outstanding Achievement Award is a real honour.”
Innovation Day 2016 was hosted by Vivienne Parry OBE and there were over 200 delegates in attendance. Other speakers included: Alex Wyke, Patient View, Mike Biddle, Innovate UK, Professor John Fisher, University of Leeds, Chris Hart, East Midlands Academic Health Science Network and Dr Darren Clark, Chief Executive, Medilink East Midlands.
Darren Clark commented:
“Innovation Day forms part of Medilink East Midland’s overall aim to provide support to businesses, facilitate networking and act as a vital link between Academics, Businesses and Clinicians. Congratulations to all of the Business Awards winners for 2016, who have not only shown exceptional skill in their respective categories, but also demonstrated a commitment to Life Sciences in the East Midlands.”
Medilink East Midlands provides specialist support to boost the region’s economic output from life sciences by overcoming barriers to growth.