Industry News
Young talent celebrated at Printing Charity’s Rising Star Awards
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ore than £111,000 of awards funding was given handed out as 82 up-and-coming stars in the print industry were commended at The Printing Charity 2026 Rising Star Awards.
The winners were recognised at a celebration held at the House of Lords, with 59% working across the print sectors.
The funding will cover 155 courses, enabling recipients to develop skills in areas including textile printing, vehicle wrapping, sustainability, digital engagement, artificial intelligence and accountancy.
The charity said almost half (43%) of the courses chosen focus on personal development, with winners selecting subjects such as project management, leadership, public speaking and coaching to build transferable skills that support long-term career progression. This year’s awards also recorded a 41% increase in winners working in technical roles, reflecting growing demand for specialist skills as the industry continues
This year’s Rising Star Awards winners
to embrace new technologies. Neil Lovell, chief executive of the charity, said: “One look at the content of the courses funded through this year’s Rising Star Awards emphasises the huge potential for people to build a successful career in any discipline within our sector. “It also shows the determination of
Essential Workwear returns as sponsor for SME Bedfordshire Business Awards
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ssential Workwear has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local businesses by returning as headline sponsor of the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards for a second consecutive year.
The branded workwear and PPE supplier backed the 2026 awards, held in partnership with the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, while also sponsoring the Central Bedfordshire Business of the Year and Family Business of the Year categories. Managing director and founder George Georgiou, operations director Louis Georgiou and head of sales UK & EU Harry Ashby also joined the judging panel.
Essential Workwear’s association with the awards dates back to 2019, when the company won three awards, an experience it says inspired its ongoing support for the event.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
George Georgiou said: “We’ve now experienced these awards from almost every angle; as nominees, as winners, and as headline sponsor. Essential Workwear has grown a lot, but our roots haven’t changed. We’re still a Bedfordshire business at heart, and the best way to honour that is to keep investing in the people and businesses coming up.”
people starting out in their careers to effectively equip themselves for a rapidly evolving future by concentrating on studying personal skills and capabilities to support their growth, regardless of where their career paths take them.” Applications for the 2027 Rising Star Awards are due to open in the spring.
Industry switch to man-made fibres
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Essential Workwear was named headline sponsor once again
Based in Bedfordshire, Essential Workwear provides in-house garment printing and embroidery services, supplying branded workwear and PPE to businesses across the UK.
erformance apparel brands are increasingly turning to natural and man-made cellulosic fibres as they look to reduce reliance on petroleum-based materials, according to Textiles Intelligence. The report highlights growing interest in fibres such as cotton, merino wool, lyocell, modal and viscose as manufacturers respond to increasing demand for more environmentally responsible products and concerns over microplastics pollution. Advances in fibre engineering are also improving the performance of natural materials. Cotton now benefits from enhanced moisture management technologies, while merino wool continues to gain popularity thanks to its thermoregulation and natural odour resistance. Regenerated fibres made from textile waste are attracting investment from companies including Lenzing, Spinnova and Infinited Fibre Company.
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