Martin Vander Weyer Martin Vander Weyer

Innovators brighten the future

We’re delighted to announce that The Spectator Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2022 are open for entries. It’s a pleasure to welcome our new sponsor: Investec, the internationally connected banking, wealth and investment group. With its extensive UK regional network, Investec is known for the support it offers entrepreneurs across its range of high-quality services. Its willingness to change the status quo in pursuit of a better, more sustainable tomorrow will enhance our Awards and we’re delighted to have Investec on board.

But are we discouraged, you might wonder, to be launching at a time when world events are so turbulent and economic prospects suddenly so uncertain? Emphatically not — and for two very good reasons.

Entrepreneurs in every sector will have a huge role to play in the post-Covid, post-conflict and post-carbon reshaping of our economies and our way of life

Firstly, as we observed from the record number of Awards entries in pandemic hit 2020 and 2021, the entrepreneurs behind the kind of innovative, high-growth businesses we see as potential winners tend by nature to be optimists who take a long view, looking beyond current disruptions. And secondly, because entrepreneurs in every sector will have a huge role to play in the post-Covid, post-conflict and post-carbon reshaping of our economies and our way of life.

This year we’re expecting to meet ventures from all over the UK that are hastening the transition to net zero; boosting UK energy security and food production; making healthcare delivery more efficient and accessible; revitalising city centres; helping to hold down the rising cost of living for consumers; and innovating in many other fields besides.

Entrants may be at the cutting edge of bioscience and digital technology, or simply finding better ways to make familiar products. Last year’s finalists ranged from developers of artificial intelligence applications in medical diagnostics to makers of natural soap and honey.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in