If it’s been on your to-do list, and even if it hasn’t, don’t worry – there’s still time to enter the inaugural London Packaging Week Innovation Awards.

The deadline for the inaugural London Packaging Week Innovation Awards has been extended until Wednesday, 29 May, following a flurry of interest as the submissions stage draws to a close.

Over 100 entries and counting have been received across the four categories: Technological Innovation, Design, Consumer Experience and Sustainability Impact.

The initial deadline had been slated for Friday, 17 May, but with dozens of entries still being drafted, the Jury panel has decided to allow for an additional 12 days.

Co-chairs Christelle Anya, the driving force behind the coveted Paris iteration, and renowned packaging expert and ThePackHub Co-Founder Paul Jenkins continue to lead the charge in search of the latest and greatest branded products and innovations available to the UK market.

Christelle said: “We continually prioritise the need to inspire people and, more specifically, to inspire the next generation and encourage progress and further advancements in sustainability and packaging in general. It’s an opportunity to push yourself, try new things in packaging, innovate, be more sustainable, and try something very different to impress the judges.

“The awards are specific to the UK market, so we encourage all the people who have great innovations to compete, and now the platform is open until the end of the month, there is still an opportunity to get involved.”

Open to both up-and-coming businesses and established brands, the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards are intended to inspire the next big idea and to encourage advancements in sustainability and performance across four industry sectors – Premium & Luxury Drinks; Beauty Cosmetics & Perfume; Food Beverages & Personal Care; and Fashion Accessories & Jewelry.

Entries can be made online and are free of charge. Entries are invited from brands, design agencies and suppliers. Commercialised packs submitted for the award will be judged by an expert judging panel, who are: Michael Carroll, Senior Packaging Specialist at Nestlé; Saul Johnstone, Senior Director, Product Management at Bacardi; Cain Hayward-Hughes, Senior Global Creative Manager - Prestige at Beam Suntory; Alfredo Ruiz Pose, Head of Purchasing at Glenmorangie; Chris Allinson, Group Packaging Leader at PZ Cussons; Sue Berry, Senior Manager Technical Packaging, R+D at Molton Brown; Jim Bligh, Corporate & Public Affairs Director & Communications Leader at The Food and Drink Federation; Tanguy Pellen, Partner at Skarbek; Lisa Meade, Head of Structural Packaging at Kingfisher; and renowned packaging expert, Raphael Ferri.

Whether its innovation is linked to the consumer experience, an emotional connection and brand expression, perceived packaging quality, or sustainable and environmental adherence, the crack team of experts are searching for excellence from within the value chain.

Cain Hayward-Hughes, Senior Global Creative Manager - Prestige at Beam Suntory, responsible for the creative direction of Suntory’s prestige Scotches, said: “Packaging plays a crucial role in the emotive storytelling of a product, and it can make us feel the full gamut of emotion. So, I’d like to say thank you for the opportunity to celebrate the hard work of the people behind the packaging. And as an industry, I’d like to thank Easyfairs UK for creating the opportunity to do that. A large part of my role is creative, so I tell stories of rare whiskeys, and as such, I regularly attend packaging conferences and awards. Partly to see what innovations are coming out and partly to see what competitors are up to. When I was approached by Christelle (Anya) in Paris, I was honoured, but I couldn’t say no.”

Saul Johnstone, Senior Director, Product Management at Bacardi, added: “It’s great to be involved. Packaging plays a huge role in my world, my job, and many people’s worlds and jobs, so it’s an absolute privilege to be involved in judging them. I see a lot of the hard work that goes into creating packaging. I see how much effort and passion goes into making packaging products, and it’s great to be part of it. I’m excited to see what’s coming to the market and the latest innovations being launched, so it’s very exciting.”

Submit your entry here for the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards 2024 by Wednesday, 29 May.