JUDGE’S NAME Dr Lopa Patel MBE
We need fresh ideas to tackle some of the serious global challenges we face. It is exciting to see British companies at the forefront of developing solutions to these challenges
CATEGORY Innovation
AREA OF INTEREST Technology
Lopa Patel is a digital entrepreneur and evangelist for STEM. As a founder of two ventures in online media and a data-driven marketing consultancy, she knows exactly what it takes to kick-start successful start-ups and transform businesses via tech. A recipient of many prestigious accolades - including an MBE for services to the creative industries and the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion - Dr Patel is a leading ambassador for British innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. As well as being Chair of the equality and inclusion think tank, Diversity UK, Lopa is also a Trustee of The Science Museum Group, and a Non-Executive Director of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE KING'S AWARDS? I was delighted to be asked to be a judge for the King's Awards for Enterprise in Innovation because I believe Britain is one of the most creative and innovative places in the world. As a previous winner of the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, I know how much confidence it can give you as an individual and as a business and I want to ensure many companies get a chance to benefit from the same privilege I had. WHY DO THE KING'S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? The King's Awards for Enterprise represent a significant achievement in an entrepreneur’s journey and for established businesses, and are a unique opportunity to recognise the collective efforts of employees, suppliers, partners and customers. They represent a new milestone of achievement for any business. I have won many business awards and accolades but this is the one that really counts for me personally. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A KA JUDGE? I love discussing the innovations themselves and reading about the amazing entrepreneurs and business people behind them. WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS KING'S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? We need fresh ideas to tackle some of the serious global challenges we face. It is exciting to see British companies at the forefront of developing solutions to these challenges.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A KING'S AWARD? Approach your application as you would a new business proposition: strategise, plan, execute, feedback, improve, launch. And don’t leave it to the last minute as you really need 6-8 weeks to pull together an outstanding application. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING'S AWARDS WINNER, AS YOU SEE IT A new level of confidence in yourself and your business; the validation of having an outstanding product or service and reassurance for customers, suppliers and other stakeholders DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS UK businesses are a global success because the British mindset is to provide the best solutions to the world’s most difficult problems. We value originality, quality and taking the path less trodden; trying to create something new and innovative rather than just replicating what has been done by others. And, of course, we simply love to make things!
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