Meet the judges

Our distinguished panel of judges cover a wide range of expertise from marketing, education, technology, sustainability and more to enable them to review and score each competition entry

Judges will meet in person to debate and discuss each entry. To find out more about this year’s panel see below.

Steve Dobson

Chief Executive, Unusual Hotels of the World

When Steve Dobson co-founded Unusual Hotels of the World in 2004, he uncovered the opportunity to attract millions of visitors to sleep somewhere with a story. With a background in marketing, he advises and inspires property owners to craft compelling stories that captivate audiences around the world. From treehouses to caves, planes, trains, churches, igloos and prisons - even underwater – the most extreme listings receive millions of views. However, it is often the less extreme that benefit from bookings.

Emma Mead

Global Head of PR, VisitBritain

From the royal wedding to the Commonwealth Games, Emma’s 12 years working for us have been filled with unforgettable chances to show the country at its best. “My time across the Quality Schemes and PR teams has certainly kept me on my toes. No two days have ever been the same. One minute I could be devising a global influencer trip, the next I could be researching Scottish myths and legends for the New York Times. The media landscape is always evolving. I’m here to help us stay in the know about new platforms; who people are listening to and who we should be talking to. Developing our new media centre was a big part of this. It enabled broadcasters to download footage directly from the website. Why have I been here so long? It’s a cliché, but it really is the people. Whether we’re putting blood, sweat and tears into getting Britain ready for the lime light, or we’re standing back and watching our hard work unfold; we’re all in it together. Time flies when you’re having fun.”

Celia Partridge

Assistant Director, Partnerships and Mobility, Universities UK International

Celia has worked at the Royal College of Music and at the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), where she led on the Prime Minister’s Initiative for International Education. Her private sector experience includes managing Barclays UK flagship community investment programme. As a consultant, her work has included strategic reviews, programme development and sustainability strategy for a range of charities and private enterprises, most recently the Business and Sustainable Development Commission. She joined UUKi in August 2017.

Paul Richer

Senior Partner, Genesys Digital Transformation

Paul is Senior Partner of the world’s leading independent travel technology consultancy, Genesys Digital Transformation (www.genesys.net). Paul founded the consultancy nearly 25 years ago and during that time Genesys has helped many travel companies select and implement new technology. Clients range from some of the smallest travel businesses to the largest, market leading, global players. All benefit from Genesys’ unrivalled experience, expertise and in-depth knowledge of the travel industry’s strategies, technology and business processes. Paul’s consultancy work includes assisting clients with the purchase of new travel systems, project management of new systems implementation, board-level advice on profitable strategies for the digital world, due diligence for acquisitions and mergers, website and technology audits. Paul chairs the majority of the industry’s digital travel conferences in Europe so he has built up an extensive knowledge of leading edge best practice. His advice propels his travel industry clients to new levels of profitability. Most recently, Paul has launched a new business, Sygma Global, combining website development and online marketing services into a single package with fixed monthly payments in the style of a mobile phone contract. Paul holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management, is a Fellow of the Institute of Travel & Tourism and Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Miranda Thomas

Director of the Chevening Secretariat at the Association of Commonwealth Universities

Miranda Thomas is Director of the Chevening Secretariat at the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Chevening is the UK Government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders. Funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations, Chevening offers two types of award – Chevening Scholarships and Chevening Fellowships – the recipients of which are personally selected by British embassies and high commissions throughout the world. The Chevening Secretariat administers the programme on behalf of the FCO. Previously Miranda was an Assistant Director at Universities UK International, leading the External Affairs team. Other higher education sector roles have included leading the Education and Skills Practice at PR consultancy Communications Management, and teams at Cass Business School, City University London, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. She started out in consumer PR promoting everything from Girlguiding UK and the Economist to Clarins and Captain Birds Eye. Miranda studied drama at the University of Exeter.

Our distinguished panel of judges cover a wide range of expertise from marketing, education, technology, sustainability and more to enable them to review and score each competition entry

Steve Dobson

Emma Mead

Celia Partridge

Paul Richer

Miranda Thomas

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