Each award entry will be judged by an expert panel comprising senior representatives from the manufacturing industry, previous award winners and manufacturing oriented academia, whose experience and feedback provide highly valued learning and reflection for entrants. All shortlisted companies will be invited to present to the judging panel in October.

Meet the first confirmed judges - over the coming weeks more names and the full list will be announced here.

Dr John Homewood
Associate & Researcher
Lean Enterprise Research Centre, Cardiff Business School

Rachael Wignall
Quality Technician
SAICA Pack

Pierfrancesco Manenti
Head, Europe, Middle East and Africa
IDC Manufacturing Insights

Peter Watkins
Global Lean Enterprise & Business Excellence Director
GKN

Peter Russell
Head of Sector
RBS

Neil Eardley
Managing Director
Siemens Healthcare, Diagnostics Manufacturing

Ian Tindle
Director
Sora

Tom Wedgwood
Director
Newton

Kevin Parkin
Chairman
Parkin Ltd / R3 Products Ltd