INNOVATION EXCELLENCE AWARDS
The Innovation Excellence Awards: A Catalyst for Growth and Relevance
The Stationers’ Company
The Stationers’ Company Innovation Excellence Awards celebrate the organisations, teams and individuals shaping the future of the UK’s communications, content, print, packaging, publishing, paper, manufacturing and creative technology industries. Rooted in a Company with over 600 years of history, the Awards recognise innovation that delivers real impact — from product design and customer experience to education technology, sustainability, materials science and advanced manufacturing. Each year, innovators, entrepreneurs, global brands and emerging talent gather at Stationers’ Hall in the City of London to celebrate excellence across our interconnected industries. The Awards culminate in a champagne reception, lunch and ceremony at historic Stationers’ Hall — one of the sector’s most respected celebrations of innovation and achievement.
Celebrating Innovation Across Our Industries
Around 90% of Stationers’ Company members work in or alongside the communications and content industries, including: • Publishing and journalism • Printing and packaging • Paper and materials innovation • Digital media and content creation • Intellectual property and archives • Manufacturing and production technologies The Innovation Excellence Awards reflect this dynamic ecosystem — celebrating creativity, technical achievement and commercial success across the full innovation pipeline.
NEW for 2026 — Manufacturing Category
For 2026, the Innovation Excellence Awards introduce a new Manufacturing category, recognising the growing importance of advanced manufacturing, materials science and production innovation across our industries. From sustainable coatings and advanced substrates to smart packaging and next-generation production processes, manufacturing innovation is transforming how products are designed, produced and experienced. This new category celebrates the engineers, manufacturers and materials innovators working at the intersection of technology, sustainability and creativity — acknowledging the vital role manufacturing plays in driving the future of communications and content industries.
2026 Award Categories
Entries will open across the following categories:
• Business Process
• Communications & Engagement
• Customer Experience
• Education Technology
• Product Design
• Start Up
• Manufacturing (NEW for 2026)
Why Enter?
Winning or being shortlisted for an Innovation Excellence Award provides:
• Industry recognition from a respected City of London institution
• National PR and media exposure
• Peer recognition across multiple sectors
• Opportunity to showcase innovation at Stationers’ Hall
• Connection with senior leaders and decision-makers The Awards are designed to spotlight innovation that solves real challenges and drives meaningful progress.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Innovation Excellence Awards offer organisations a powerful opportunity to align their brand with innovation, leadership and future-focused industries. Sponsors benefit from:
• High-profile brand visibility through pre- and post-event PR campaigns
• Direct engagement with senior industry leaders and innovators
• Brand presence at one of the City of London’s flagship industry events
• Association with excellence, sustainability and sector leadership We are delighted to welcome the continued support of Pearson and Picon as sponsors for 2026, reflecting the growing profile and impact of the Awards.
Download the 2026 Sponsorship Pack and contact innovationexcellence@stationers.org to discuss opportunities.
Be Part of the Innovation Excellence Awards 2026
Innovation does not happen in isolation. It happens when industries collaborate, ideas are recognised, and leaders step forward to support progress.
The Innovation Excellence Awards bring together the organisations shaping the future of communications, content, materials and manufacturing — and we invite you to be part of it. Whether you are looking to raise your profile, connect with industry leaders, showcase innovation or demonstrate sector leadership, the Awards offer a powerful platform for visibility and engagement.
Get Involved
Enter the Awards — Showcase your innovation and gain industry recognition. Become a Sponsor — Align your organisation with excellence and leadership across our industries. Attend the Ceremony — Join innovators and decision-makers for one of the City of London’s most respected industry celebrations.
Innovation Starts Here
Be recognised. Be connected. Be part of the future of our industries.
