Lord Stafford Award winners announced

A COMPANY which has developed a range of special trousers for injured soldiers, a firm which is using forensic science kits to boost interest in chemistry and a groundbreaking innovation centre have all triumphed in the prestigious Lord Stafford Awards.

The awards, which seek to showcase and celebrate the best of collaboration between businesses and universities, were announced last night (Thursday) at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.

The Innovation in Development award went to a partnership between Rackety’s and Coventry University. This project has seen the Leek-based manufacturer of clothing for disabled people develop a new range of trousers designed for soldiers who have suffered leg injuries which require them to wear fixator devices.

The trousers open down the legs so they can be easily fitted over the fixator devices and give the impression of normal trousers, improving the quality of life for many of the combat personnel.

The Achievement in Innovation award went to Bilston based SciChem Forensic Investigation and Staffordshire University.

Having supplied chemicals and science equipment to schools for half a century, SciChem has now collaborated with Staffordshire University to develop specialist forensic science kits which are being sold to schools and colleges nationally.

The Open Collaboration award went to the Caparo Innovation Centre and the University of Wolverhampton.

The centre was set up by Caparo and the university in 2003 to support inventors who want to make their ideas commercially viable. Since being established, the centre has helped more than 800 inventors access support.

Lord Stafford, Patron of the Awards, said: “These awards are now in their 14th year and the quality of excellence continues to increase each year.

“In the current economic climate it is more important than ever that universities play their part in helping to unlock the ideas that businesses have.

“This year, in Rackety’s and SciChem we have two thriving businesses who have changed direction significantly with support from universities to bring their products to life.

“The Caparo Innovation Centre, on the other hand, is an innovation in itself which has been generating even more innovation through support for inventors.

“I would like to congratulate all of the shortlisted companies for making this year’s Lord Stafford Awards one of the most competitive yet.”