The judging panel bring a wealth of expertise and insight from a variety of sectors, including research, product development, and business strategy, ensuring that each award category is rigorously assessed by leaders in the field.
These experts, with their deep knowledge and passion for advancing the industry, play a pivotal role in recognizing the standout ingredients, products, companies, and initiatives that are shaping the future of nutrition.
Jens Bleiel, Independent Food Innovation Consultant
Jens Bleiel offers valuable expertise as a NutraIngredients Awards judge, drawing from his extensive background in food innovation, nutrition, and functional health products. He has mentored and advised companies in nutrition, food ingredients, and technology, combining strategic insight with deep industry knowledge.
Nard Clabbers, founder of NCNC Nutrition Consultancy
Nard Clabbers brings a wealth of expertise with a unique blend of academic, industry, and entrepreneurial experience. His background in Human Nutrition with over a decade of practical experience, positions him as an authority in the field.
Hamish Clarke, managing director of Klynk Ventures
Hamish holds an extensive background in the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) sector, particularly in market entry strategies, product launches, and consumer engagement. His ability to identify, shape, and quantify opportunities for innovators and investors gives him a strong foundation to assess the potential impact and market readiness of nutrition-related products.
Patrick Coppens, director of regulatory and scientific affairs at Food Supplements Europe
Patrick Coppens brings a strong background in food law, regulatory affairs, and public health within the food supplement industry. This blend of regulatory, scientific, and quality assurance experience makes him well-equipped to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and innovation of nutrition products.
Stephen Daniells, PhD, Editor-in-Chief, NutraIngredients-USA
Stephen Daniells brings extensive expertise to the judging panel for the NutraIngredients Awards, combining a strong foundation in chemistry and over 15 years of experience in nutrition journalism. His recognized journalistic excellence and his roles as an editorial consultant and chair for major industry event enhances his strategic insight into the latest trends in nutrition.
Kirsty Doolan, editor, CosmeticsDesign.com
Kirsty Doolan, Editor of CosmeticsDesign-Europe, has developed a deep understanding of the intersections between beauty, wellness, and nutrition through her 18 years as a journalist. Her multidisciplinary perspective, spanning nutrition, wellness, and beauty, makes her a valuable panelist for evaluating high-quality, resonant initiatives.
Grégory Dubourg, CEO of Nutrikeo
Grégory Dubourg brings 10 years of marketing and innovation experience in the agri-food and nutraceutical industries. His unique combination of technical knowledge, industry experience, and strategic leadership makes him a highly qualified judge.
Philip Calder, professor of Nutritional Immunology and head of the School of Human Development & Health, University of Southampton
Philip Calder brings a wealth of expertise to a NutraIngredients Awards judging panel through his extensive background in nutritional immunology and fatty acid metabolism, particularly omega-3s. As a globally recognized researcher, he offers unparalleled knowledge and authority to evaluate excellence in nutrition.
Dr. Joerg Gruenwald Founder analyze & realize
Dr. Joerg Gruenwald brings extensive expertise in natural health products, functional foods, and dietary supplements to the judging panel. With a prolific academic background, Dr. Gruenwald combines scientific rigor with practical industry knowledge, making him a highly qualified judge for the Awards.
Olivia Haslam, Section Editor at NutraIngredients.com
As Section Editor at NutraIngredients.com, Olivia has a sharp eye for evaluating innovation and relevance in the sector. Her focus on market dynamics and sustainable practices ensures she can identify groundbreaking contributions that align with the industry’s evolving priorities.
Emilie Hood, Consultant, Euromonitor International
Emilie Hood draws on her role as a consultant with Euromonitor International. Her ability to pinpoint opportunities and challenges, combined with her experience advising diverse clients, enables her to provide actionable insights and a nuanced perspective on the factors driving growth across sectors.
Ewa Hudson, Director of Insights, William Reed
Ewa Hudson brings extensive expertise to the judging panel, with a deep understanding of global health, wellness, nutrition, and ethical labels markets. She is also the chair of the NutraIngredients Awards and is a recognized speaker and author, regularly contributing to professional publications and events worldwide.
Heather Jackson, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, GenM
Heather Jackson brings a deep commitment to transforming the menopause narrative to the Awards judging panel. Her mission to empower women and normalise menopause conversations highlights her ability to champion innovation and inclusivity in the health and nutrition sectors.
Wenche Emblem Larssen, Research Manager, Møreforsking
Wenche Emblem Larssen’s research examines how sensory qualities such as taste, food safety, and health claims shape consumer preferences. As an accomplished scientist, her deep understanding of sensory science and consumer insights makes her a valuable contributor to evaluating nutrition innovations.
Sophie Medlin, Consultant Dietitian, CityDietitians
Sophie Medlin, consultant dietitian at CityDietitians, brings great expertise in colorectal and intestinal health to the judging panel. With a strong background in supplement formulation, she has collaborated with rising star brands in the industry, showcasing her ability to recognise the perfect blend of science with innovation.
Steve Osborn, Co-Founder, Food Technology Scout & Commercial Development Director .The Aurora Ceres Partnership
Steve Osborn brings expertise in food science, technology, and commercial development to the Awards judging panel. As a trained analytical chemist with a strong foundation in food chemistry, he is established as a recognized expert and forward-thinking leader in food innovation.
Dan Richardson, Performance Nutritionist, Leeds Football Club & DRN Nutrition
As a seasoned performance nutritionist, Dan’s practical and results-focused approach empowers athletes to reach their full potential, making him a valuable contributor to assessing excellence in nutrition.
Wilbert Sybesma, Owner/Founder, Microbiome Solutions
Wilbert Sybesma, PhD MBA, brings over 20 years of experience in nutrition, health, and innovation to the judging panel. He specializes in advancing probiotics, prebiotics, bacteriophages, and microbiome-focused innovations, and supports organizations of all sizes in achieving end-to-end value creation in the microbiome field.
Miguel Toribio-Mateas, Honorary Research Fellow, School of Psychology, Cardiff University
Miguel Toribio-Mateas brings 25 years of experience across fields such as academia, healthcare, science, and technology. His R&D background in nutraceuticals and microbiome testing informs his focus on how food and lifestyle influence mood, cognition, and behavior via the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
Prof. David Weinkove, Chief Scientific Officer, Magnitude Biosciences
Professor David Weinkove holds academic distinction in C. elegans and aging biology. His deep understanding of biological aging and translational research ensures a unique and insightful perspective on nutritional innovations.
Prof. Gulrez Zairwala, Director, Centre for Nutraceuticals, University of Westminster
Professor Gulrez Zairwala specializes in translational physiology, formulation science, metabolism, neurodegeneration, and sports nutrition. He has spearheaded the clinical validation of numerous nutraceutical products, and with over 75 published research articles, Gulrez offers unparalleled insight and experience.
Dr. Julia Rode, Associate Senior Lecturer, Örebro University
Dr. Julia Rode blends her knowledge of nutritional science, molecular biotechnology, and medical science as a NutraIngredients Awards judge. With a passion for innovative approaches and a strong scientific foundation, Dr. Rode offers valuable insights into cutting-edge research and practical applications in nutrition.