The competition is open to nominations from every area of the packaging sector and judges will be looking for individuals who have shown exceptional entrepreneurship, commitment and diligence within their current role.

Professionals across the industry are invited to nominate colleagues, clients or suppliers who they believe are making a difference.

Entries will be reviewed and short listed by a panel of judges including Bob Hinchcliffe, Managing Director of Quasar Automation, Josh Brooks, Brand Director of Packaging News and Gary Wyles, Managing Director of Festo.

A public vote will then help the judges choose the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners.

Sponsored by pneumatic and electronic automation technology supplier Festo, the awards offer winners a Festo Training & Consulting workshop and the chance to be exhibited as part of the Achievement Gallery at the show.

Gold, Silver and Bronze winners will also win additional training courses, with the Gold Winner receiving a complimentary, ‘in-company’ training course worth over £9,500 from Festo’s Training & Consulting portfolio.

Quasar’s Hinchcliffe said: “I feel very privileged to be asked to join the judging panel for this year’s competition and am delighted to be a part of this process.

“It is a great opportunity to recognise and encourage young engineers within the industry and I can’t wait to see the calibre of 2013 nominations.”

Graham Earl, exhibition manager for Reed Exhibitions, said: “From processing and packaging machinery to packaging innovations and design, the Ones to Watch awards is a great opportunity for businesses to nominate their young ‘rising stars’ who are really making a difference to the industry.”

Winners of this year’s Ones to Watch will be announced at the Total Processing and Packaging Exhibition, 4-6 June 2013 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Entries will be accepted via the website –www.totalexhibition.com/otw – until 28 March 2013.