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Congratulations to the Spotlight Awards Winners!

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the Spotlight Awards at Top Drawer! The ceremony was amazing, and we are proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of our trailblazing exhibitors.

Winners:

  • Best Newcomer: Studio Frewb

  • Best New Product, Fashion: Kind Bag

  • Best New Product, Food: Halen Môn

  • Best New Product, Gift: PICCOLO Seeds

  • Best New Product, Greetings & Stationery: Wildwood Paper

  • Best New Product, Home: Pri Pri

  • Best New Product, Launchpad: PINNOLE

  • Best New Product, Play: Best Years

  • Best New Product, Wellbeing: Salt + Steam

  • Innovation in Design: Rex London

At Top Drawer, we are proud to celebrate and enhance the brand awareness of our trailblazing exhibitors. This is your opportunity to showcase your finest product to more than 10,000 retail professionals and be recognised as the best in the business.

We are passionate about celebrating brands across the show and highlighting those truly innovative products. The Spotlight Awards are where exhibitors get the chance to win based on their newest product on the market and on being the standout newcomer.

SPOTLIGHT AWARDS JUDGES

Preena Patel

Buyer, Design Museum

Preena

Preena Patel is the Senior Buying and Product Development Manager at the Design Museum, with over a decade of experience in retail positioning, licensing, and product development. She leads the development of commercially successful ranges for both in-store and online platforms.

As a champion of sustainable practices, Preena has reshaped the museum’s retail strategy to prioritize eco-conscious products. With a background in fashion design, she blends creativity with a strong commercial focus, finding great satisfaction in seeing her products "in the wild."

Alongside her museum role, Preena is a freelance retail consultant and product strategist for artist Yinka Ilori and other clients.

Sarah Holmes

Owner, Pencil Me In

Sarah Holmes

Sarah Holmes founded Pencil Me In a beautifully curated stationery store in 2014. 3 times voted Elgin’s favourite shop, and winning Moray Business Women’s Established Business of the Year 2022, she is supporting many other female founded small design businesses based all over the UK. The pencil printing machine you can see in the shop window prints over 52,000 pencils a year to be stocked in independent shops & galleries all over the UK, including the UK Parliament Gift Shop, Shakespeare Globe Theatre and The Tate.

 In 2023 Sarah launched her second retail project, Seasgair Store on South Street in Elgin. A delicious selection of homewares & gifts creating a thoroughly enjoyable shopping experience.

Priya Aurora-Crowe

Owner, Lark 

Priya

Lark is a family run independent based mainly in London and their aim is to provide beautiful products for your lifestyle and home. We have been slowly expanding over the last 20 years and now have 19 stores; Balham, Earlsfield, Tooting, Wimbledon, Streatham, Herne Hill, Askew Road, Chiswick, Clapham, Fulham, Raynes Park, Putney, Richmond, Woking, Southfields, East Sheen, Blackheath, Esher and Weybridge.

To Priya, Lark is not only her hobby but also part of her family life. She loves buying new and exciting products and creating a positive impact within her stores communities. As an independent they support local companies, people and brands, as seen in all their shops.

Sarah Laker

Owner, Stationery Supplies

Sarah Laker

Sarah Laker, a self-confessed stationery geek, founded Stationery Supplies in Marple, Cheshire over 18 years ago. Leaving behind a nursing career, Sarah pursued her dream of owning a stationery, gift, and card shop. Her deep passion for stationery and independent retail has been the cornerstone of her business success.

In 2020, Sarah expanded her business by acquiring a second stationery shop. This decision was driven not just by business prospects, but also by a heartfelt desire to create a supportive workplace that would positively impact her daughter’s mental wellbeing. Throughout the pandemic, Sarah became a vocal advocate for independent stationery shops, raising awareness of their challenges and securing media recognition on major UK platforms including BBC Radio and TV.

In 2023, she took on the prestigious role of coordinating National Stationery Week, the stationery industry's biggest marketing event, which unites suppliers, retailers, and consumers in their shared love of stationery.

A strong advocate for community and collaboration, Sarah actively supports her local community and fellow independent retailers. Her dedication has earned her multiple BOSS Independent Retailer awards, as well as recognition for her contributions to local charitable initiatives.

Hannah Bishop and Clare Bishop

Owners, Cornucopia

Clare and Hannah

Hannah Bishop is one half of the dynamic mother-daughter duo behind Cornucopia Home and Gift, a charming family-owned business in the heart of Worcester. With a degree in Interior Design, Hannah brings her keen eye for detail and passion for aesthetics to every corner of the shop. Cornucopia has earned a stellar reputation, being recognised as Britain’s Best Shop in 2020 for its exceptional products and outstanding service. Specialising in high-quality gifts and homewares, the shop reflects Hannah's dedication to excellence in both her professional life as a judge.

Clare Bishop is one half of the dynamic mother-daughter team behind Cornucopia Home and Gift, a charming family-owned business located in the heart of Worcester. With a wealth of experience in Floristry and extensive experience in the home and gift industry, Clare has been deeply involved with Cornucopia long before she took over the business in 2014. Under her leadership, Cornucopia has gained a stellar reputation, earning the title of Britain’s Best Shop in 2020 for its exceptional products and outstanding service. Specialising in high-quality gifts and homewares, the shop embodies Clare’s commitment to excellence both in her role as a judge and as a dedicated entrepreneur.