Zeitgeist


October 2024, the 2026 awards were the “perfect time” to apply to the awards. She said: “I wanted to build on my existing experience, expand my skillset, and invest in the areas that would support the next stage of my career.” Carys said that when she won the award that it


Recognising stars


IN THE FEMALE-DOMINATED WINNERS LIST FOR THIS YEAR’S PRINTING CHARITY’S RISING STAR AWARDS, WE SPOKE TO THREE WINNERS FROM THE PRINT INDUSTRY THAT WERE RECOGNISED BY THE CHARITY.


It’s always a special moment when you are recognised for your contribution to the industry in front of colleagues, friends and peers and at this year’s Printing Charity Rising Star Awards it saw a female-led winner list, including three familiar faces to the wide-format industry.


JUDE CORLESS, HYBRID SERVICES Having been part of the industry for just over two years, digital content and marketing executive at Hybrid Services, Jude Corless has recently made her mark in her printing career with recognition from the Printing Charity. Jude was first not aware of the work that the Printing Charity does, so it was her industry peers that encouraged her to put herself forward. She said: “It was only after a few people in the


industry spoke to me about the Rising Star Awards and encouraged me to apply that I started to see what a great opportunity it could be. “Their encouragement gave me the confidence to put myself forward, and I’m so glad I did.


“It felt amazing to be named one of the 2026 Rising Star winners was a huge honour, but what meant the most to me was being recognised by people within an industry that I’ve only been part of for a relatively short time.”


Moreover, winning the award comes with a monetary prize for winners to put towards their career and Jude already has plans for how she wants to further her career within the industry.


She said: “I’m using the winners’ fund towards a CIM


Level 6 Certificate in professional and digital marketing, which I’m really excited to start. It’s a great opportunity to invest in myself and keep developing.”


CARYS EVANS, KARIS COPP MEDIA Having been part of the industry since 2018, Carys felt that with her move from journalism to PR in


30 | August/September 2026


was a wonderful feeling, and that she was “incredibly grateful” for the support she received from her managing director. However, she also mentioned that it was great to see the Printing Charity put their views on helping the younger generation in the industry into action. She added: “It’s not simply recognition; winners receive tangible support and funding that they can invest directly into their career progression.” With the grant Carys plans to do a short course on social media platforms and also a course on people and projects management, to help her grow not only in her current role but also within her career. Carys said: “I spent time researching the courses and thinking carefully about how each one aligned with my longer-term career goals, which I think is a really important part of the process. “The funding is an amazing opportunity, so choosing development that will have a meaningful impact on where you want your career to go really helps you make the most of it.”


LIBBY CLIFFORD, MAKE IT HAPPEN SIGNAGE CONSULTANCY


Completing our line-up of Rising Star winners for the feature, is Libby, business development at Make it Happen, who applied to the awards for her passion of learning and that having “knowledge is power”. She said: “As someone who is still relatively new to the industry, I understand just how vast, constantly evolving, and ultimately, daunting the world of signage can be for newcomers.” So, for Libby the awards gave her the opportunity to build on her knowledge and also share her knowledge with others too.


She added that is was an “hour to be recognised


by the industry”, especially alongside so many other talented winners too.


She continued: “Receiving the award has also given me a boost of confidence and made me feel valued within the industry. “It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate young talent and feel part of an industry that I’m really proud to be in.” Her next plans, which include using the funding


provided by wining the award, is to two course on social media marketing and wayfinding and signage design to help further her career. Regarding the signage course Libby concluded: “As much as I discuss these topics, I have never delved deeply into the importance of sign design. This course will put me in the shoes of my clients, and what better way to learn that through experience.”


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