Innovation comes in many forms; from new products, processes and services to new ways of approaching old problems, or developing new business cultures, models and networks. This award celebrates the innovations that have had the greatest impact. Judges will look for evidence of how the innovation has been developed and applied to improve the lives of those living or working in rural locations (for example in pioneering creative responses to the challenges and opportunities surrounding an ageing population, clean growth, mobility of people, goods and services, and the new data economy), while improving businesses’ commercial performance, operational effectiveness or customer engagement. This award will go to the company that can best demonstrate an innovation or innovative approach that has met one or more of the following criteria:
• Transformed or positively impacted rural communities, enterprise or wider industry
• Created competitive advantage
• Contributed to significant business growth and improved overall financial performance.
• Achieved significant improvements in operational excellence.
• Enabled the delivery of new ethical or sustainable practices.
• Helped staff deliver better customer service.
• Increased market share or customer loyalty.
The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) is an exciting new research, innovation and knowledge exchange initiative designed in collaboration with the Centre for Rural Economy and Business School at Newcastle University, the Enterprise Research Centre at Warwick Business School, the Countryside and Community Research Institute at the University of Gloucestershire and Royal Agricultural University. NICRE is committed to informing policy, and improving existing practice, in tackling society’s grand challenges by fostering the innovation and resilience of rural enterprise and unlocking the potential in rural areas across the UK.
We aim to increase impact on business practices to build improved research and innovation capabilities, increase capacity of rural business owners, equip rural communities with knowledge and evidence to tackle future challenges and to focus on stronger evidence-based policy design, delivery and support.
Put simply – we unlock the potential in the UKs rural economies.
“We at NICRE are delighted to sponsor the Innovation Award. In a year of unprecedented change we have seen true resilience and innovation shine within our rural business communities. Through this category we share some of the most innovative talent from rural areas and are pleased to be part of showcasing their innovative and sustainable business solutions!”
Melanie Thompson-Glen
Business Development Manager, NICRE
Best Rural Innovation Winners
Powys
PM Training and Assessing Ltd is a family run business focussed on training and assessing people who work in the Rail Signalling Sector. They deliver this technical training and assessing right across the UK and the world and have worked with a wide variety of companies including Arup, Network Rail, Babcocks, AmeySersa, Siemens, MPI, Coyles, and MECX. The business has created an innovative solution to their specialised area of training by buying an old bus and turning it into a Mobile Technical Classroom – allowing their trainers to travel to employers and colleges across the country instead of learners having to travel to them.