Judges - Healthy Living and Agriculture

Elsa Sier

KTP Associate, Graft and University of Dundee

Elsa is a designer and researcher passionate about driving positive change. As a Strategy and Change Management KTP Associate between Graft and the University of Dundee, she is committed to design a change management service to help SMEs grow. She has a Master’s in Design for Change from Edinburgh College of Art and a BA in Motion Design from Design Academy Eindhoven. Elsa has spent 4 years consulting and collaborating with various clients, from NGOs to sustainable startups and the healthcare sector. She has managed projects through all stages, from research and strategy to concept development, visualisation, and production, applying an empathetic approach and a healthy dose of enthusiasm. Her curiosity allows her to address diverse needs and uncover hidden obstacles.

Margaret Ann Macleod

CEO, Harris Tweed Hebrides

Margaret Ann Macleod is the CEO of Harris Tweed Hebrides, where she plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and sustainability across the Harris Tweed® industry. With a deep appreciation for art, design, and heritage, she has championed collaborative projects that blend tradition with cutting-edge research. These include a successful KTP with Gray’s School of Art at RGU, focused on textile design and technology, and an AKT2i project with RGU’s School of Engineering, Computing and Technology, exploring environmental sustainability. Margaret Ann is a passionate advocate for the creative industries and their role in shaping resilient, future-facing rural economies.

Josie Steed

Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Gray's School of Art, Robert Gordon University

Josie Steed is Associate Dean for Research at Gray's School of Art at Robert Gordon University. Her work explores opportunities to engage with systemic issues attributed to the fashion industry around the Circular Economy (CE), waste management, consumer behaviour and the revaluing of heritage craft making. She has recently led on two Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) with textile heritage brands including Harris Tweed Hebrides and was a Co-Investigator on the UK-China Augmented Fashion: Immersive Interactions for Sustainable Heritage in Fashion and Textiles funded by the AHRC. Through her projects she has established networks across design, creative industries, cultural organisations and government agencies.

Dan Langford

Business Development Manager, International Barley Hub, James Hutton Institute

Dan Langford is the Business Development Manager at the International Barley Hub (IBH), a platform dedicated to advancing barley science and fostering innovation and collaboration across sectors. Dan’s role involves connecting innovative research with industryapplications. The IBH aims to translate scientific discoveries into economic and commercial benefits. Previously Dan has been involved in the development of business models and IP protection of art, design, and creative industries. Early education included an Arts Certificate focussing on digital animation. Today Dan’s artistic endeavours are limited to drawing Axolotl's with his 8-year-old daughter.

Lorna Duguid

Director – Life Sciences, Opportunity North East

Lorna Duguid is Director of Life Sciences at Opportunity North East (ONE), where she leads strategic efforts to grow the region’s life sciences sector. Since 2018, she has helped shape transformative projects such as ONE BioHub—a £40 million innovation facility supporting entrepreneurial scientists in Aberdeen. Lorna directs programmes empowering researchers and academics to translate breakthrough ideas into real-world health solutions. She champions the creative nature of life sciences—where innovation lies in solving complex biological and medical challenges with new technologies, treatments, and approaches—fostering a vibrant ecosystem where science and enterprise combine to drive impact and growth.