51Âþ»­

Work to make knives safer and which could have a huge impact upon injury rates has earned a 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) academic a top business award.

Leisa award 2

Leisa Nichols-Drew was presented with the inaugural Excellence in Collaboration award at this year’s East Midlands Chamber Business Awards Leicestershire, one of just 13 winners given honours this year.

Ms Nichols-Drew, a Chartered Forensic Practitioner, has pioneered research which demonstrates the practicality and safety of using round-tip kitchen knives over those with pointed blades.

As a forensic scientist, Leisa saw first-hand the increased use of bladed weapons in crimes – the majority of which involve kitchen knives with pointed tips.

Judges at the Chamber awards were impressed with the research and its potential to make a real difference to public safety.

Leisa said she was incredibly honoured to win the award and proud to represent the research team involved at the event. She also offered congratulations to the other nominees within the award category and thanked the judging panel too.

Leisa, said: “This fantastic recognition validates our research which was conducted and published during the pandemic, and is a world first. Together we will make a difference in making our homes and communities safer, not only within Leicester, Leicestershire and the East Midlands, across the UK too, and internationally.”

Leisa award stage

The rounded-knife research team led by Leisa, consisted of 51Âþ»­ colleagues Dr Rachel Armitage and Dr Kevin Farrugia, Professor Rob Hillman at the University of Leicester and Dr Kelly Sheridan at Northumbria University.

As part of the research, Leisa has liaised with manufacturers, involved organisations such as the Metropolitan Police, and National Knife Crime Working Group.

“Our research suggests that there is an opportunity for crime reduction by swapping pointed-tip knives for rounded blades in the kitchen,” explained Ms Nichols-Drew. “A knife that can be used safely and effectively at home without the possibility of accidental injury minimises the risk of it being used as a potential weapon.”  

51Âþ»­'s Small Business Leadership Programme, which helped more than 80 small businesses in Leicestershire to build their businesses through the pandemic, reached the finals of the Education category.

The Leicestershire Business Awards, held in partnership with headline sponsor Mazars, recognised winners across 13 categories, ranging from Business Improvement Through Technology and Environmental Impact Award within an organisation to individual honours for Entrepreneur of the Year and Apprentice of the Year.

There were new categories this year for Excellence in Collaboration and Excellence in Innovation.

Finalists, chosen by a judging panel of the Chamber’s senior leadership and board of directors, as well as sponsors, discovered their fate during a gala dinner attended by hundreds of people at Leicester Tigers’ Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium – marking a return for face-to-face celebrations after being held virtually last year.

Scott Knowles, chief executive of the Chamber, said: “There has been so much to celebrate within our business community despite a challenging 18 months and these awards have showcased some of the incredible companies that call our region home.

“As the economic recovery continues, and new opportunities present themselves in a new era of global trade and sustainable business, these are just the kinds of organisations we should be highlighting when we’re shouting about everything the East Midlands has to offer. We know it’s a great place to do business and these are living proof.

“We received so many high-calibre applications, which demonstrated how the pandemic hasn’t been a period in which we have just stood still. Instead, the time afforded for reflection has led to many companies seeking out new opportunities, innovating and driving themselves forward."