Long Melford tech entrepreneur scoops top spot in Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils' Innovation Awards 2022
A Long Melford entrepreneur and his work helping to give businesses a boost through technology has been named best business innovator in Babergh and Mid Suffolk.
Queue Technology, founded by Ellis Heighes, also scooped the Shooting Star award for innovation with the development of a range of forward-thinking platforms including Virtual Highstreet, Queue Link & Queue Pay.
The company was handed the title at the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils' Innovation Awards 20222, at Wherstead Park, last night.
More than 160 people attended the awards ceremony, which rewarded businesses across a range of sectors including innovation in healthcare, customer service, sustainability, construction, and on the high street.
There were also key note speeches from New Anglia LEP and Innovate UK, who praised the two districts for the leading the way in innovation, across all fields.
Ellis Heighes, 26, said: "It's been a really wild couple of years and to be recognised in this way has been a real honour. It's the icing on the cake."
The Innovation Awards celebrate and recognise how businesses use innovative solutions, approaches and technologies to reach new customers, become more sustainable or grow their business.
The awards ceremony was first held virtually in 2020 during the pandemic and this year was the first time the businesses taking part had been able to meet face to face.
There were a total of 22 finalists in total.
Headline sponsor LDH (La Doria), who selected the overall winner, felt that Queue Technology, not only demonstrated innovation throughout the pandemic but also made a real impact to local communities in the districts.
It's Virtual High Street Platform, which got off the ground originally with the help of Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils and Stowmarket Innovation Labs has since been taken up nationally and helps businesses get online while also helping to boost their real world high street presence.
Palgrave based Natural Building Systems Ltd were winners in two categories: Tomorrow’s World and Construction Innovation for the development of a ground-breaking sustainable alternative to existing construction methods by combining low embodied carbon materials with digital manufacturing and other modern methods of construction.
The award for Customer Service Innovation was presented to Events Under Canvas, based in Capel St Mary, for their digital first approach for customers including online floor plan designs allowing each customer to create their own bespoke glamping experience.
The High Street Innovation award went to Breakout Long Melford for the creation of a business and community hub supporting businesses and cultural activities in the town.
The Sustainability Innovation Award that recognised a contribution to sustainability or technologies that lower carbon footprint was awarded to Elmswell-based DXB Pump & Power Ltd for their low carbon solution of refurbishing rather than replacing of portable pumping equipment for the UK Environment Agency.
Stowmarket-based Virtually There Studio CIC scooped the gold award for Healthcare Innovation for their use of immersive media to create virtual ecotherapy environments for those who could otherwise not access conventional ecotherapy - a formal type of therapeutic treatment which involves doing outdoor activities in nature.
The Rising Star Award – that recognises young people who demonstrate outstanding innovation within a learning or workplace environment - was presented to Helen Su from Modece Architects in Stowmarket.
Helen joined the firm as part of a six-month Kickstart scheme, developing her skills to secure a place within the new Cambridge University apprenticeship programme.
Cllr David Busby, Babergh District Council’s cabinet member for finance, assets and investment said: “Congratulations to all the winners of the 2022 Innovation Awards.
The evening was a wonderful celebration of the forward-thinking businesses we have in the districts and demonstrates how many businesses in our districts are championing new ways of working to grow their business and support their customers.”
The Innovations were hosted by Tim Robinson from Tech East, with key notes speeches from CJ Green from Brave Goose and Jan Stringer from Innovate UK KTN
Cllr Harry Richardson, Mid Suffolk District Council, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic growth said: “Business innovation has never been so important and it is wonderful that our awards were supported and sponsored by some of the leading innovative businesses in the region.
"I would like to thank all our sponsors, judges and speakers for making the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Innovation Awards such a success.”
Barry Fine, CEO, LDH (La Doria), headline sponsor for the Innovation Awards said: “The standard of entries to the Innovation Awards was incredibly high and I would like to congratulate all the businesses who were shortlisted for the awards as well as all the winners.
"It is inspiring to see businesses from many different industries making positive steps to embed innovation into how they work.”
The 2022 Innovation Awards are being sponsored by some leading innovative organisations in the region including HSBC, University of Suffolk, Sackers, Burland Technology, University of Essex and Suffolk Building Control Group.
There were 71 entries to the 8 categories in the Innovation Awards, judged by industry experts including Gups Jagpal (University of Suffolk), Rob Singh (University of Essex), Sharon Perry (Innovate UK KTN), Tim Robinson (Tech East) and Anna Nadolna (Tech Nation).
2022 Innovation Awards – Winners and Finalists
Business Innovator of the Year (Sponsored by LDH (La Doria))
Winner: Queue Technology
Shooting Star (Sponsored by Brave Goose)
Recognising businesses demonstrating successful innovation developing new opportunities and ways of creating value in a national and international arena.
Winner: Queue Technology
Category Finalists:
Events under Canvas
Sniffe & Likkit Ltd
Softwood Self-Publishing
Rising Star (Sponsored by HSBC)
Recognising young people (16 - 25) who demonstrate outstanding innovation within a learning or workplace environment. This could be a new product, way of working or use of technology.
Winner: Helen Su – Modece Architects
Finalists:
Ella Gill – Fox Yard bar Ltd
Josh Partridge – Sell Beyond
Tomorrow’s World (Sponsored by University of Essex)
Recognising emerging and enabling technologies across all sectors of industry and areas of research, recognising inspirational solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.
Winner: Natural Building Systems Ltd
Finalists:
Aquagrain Ltd
Queue Technology
Customer Service Innovation (Sponsored by Mid Suffolk District Council)
Recognising businesses that demonstrate the best application of new methods, practice and technology to improve the customer experience.
Winner: Events Under Canvas
Finalists:
Breakout Long Melford
West View IT
High Street Innovation (Sponsored by Babergh District Council)
Recognising the successful implementation of innovative strategies, products, procedures, or technology to promote trading on the high street.
Winner: Breakout Long Melford
Finalists:
Baked by Humphries
Queue Technology
Sustainability Innovation (Sponsored by Sackers)
Recognising businesses that demonstrate a contribution to sustainability or energy-saving technologies that lower their carbon footprint.
Winner: DXB Pump & Power Ltd
Finalists:
Aquagrain Ltd
Burland Technology Solutions Ltd
Healthcare Innovation (Sponsored by University of Suffolk)
Recognising research, development or businesses using emerging technology within the animal and human health sector.
Winner: Virtually There Studio CIC
Finalists:
Therapy Gyms Ltd
James White Drinks Ltd
Construction Innovation (Sponsored by Burland Technology)
Recognising innovation in construction projects, materials or systems, putting in place creative solutions that result in sustainable homes, workplaces and infrastructure for the future.
Winner: Natural Building Systems Ltd
Finalists:
Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd
Modece Property Ltd
Obee CIC (Orchard Barn Environmental Education)
