HORIBA UK is proud to announce that it has been awarded the 2025 Labmate Award for Excellence in the category of Best Supplier and End-User Partnership, in recognition of its long-standing and impactful partnership with Northumbria University.
This award celebrates a unique 15-year partnership that has evolved far beyond traditional supplier–customer dynamics into a strategic scientific partnership. Built on shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to innovation, the relationship between HORIBA UK and Northumbria University exemplifies how industry and academia can work hand-in-hand to drive meaningful change.
The partnership spans a wide spectrum of activities, including:
- Doctoral training and mentoring through Northumbria’s EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training, where HORIBA has provided technical input, mock interviews, panel discussions, technical assessments, poster judging and ongoing student support.
- Widening participation initiatives, by sponsoring scholarships for under-represented students in science and engineering, mentoring and networking that broadens the students’ exposure to industry and career opportunities.
- Joint research and global scientific engagement, including a trilateral project between UK, Brazil and HORIBA’s global network and the shared use of HORIBA’s advanced spectroscopy tools, which have contributed to peer-reviewed publications and successful funding bids.
- Advancing scientific exchange and showcasing innovation, with HORIBA UK’s Dr Giorgia Marucci registered as a Visiting Scholar at Northumbria University, enabling sustained, hands-on collaboration. What is more, HORIBA UK and Northumbria University co-created videos and promotional content that showcased groundbreaking research and celebrated the value of close supplier–end-user partnerships in advancing scientific excellence.
The judging panel commended the partnership for demonstrating how a supplier can be integral to academic growth, equity, and scientific innovation at multiple levels.
“We are deeply honoured to receive this award, which affirms our commitment to cultivating long-term, values-driven partnerships that go beyond the traditional supplier role and truly advance scientific progress”, said Dr Simon FitzGerald, Head of Science and Technology, HORIBA UK. “Our collaboration with Northumbria University is a testament to what can be achieved when industry and academia work together with a shared vision for excellence and impact.”
Prof. Guillaume Zoppi (Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering), Northumbria University said: “We are thrilled to receive the best supplier and end-user partnership award in collaboration with HORIBA UK. This recognition celebrates a dynamic and long-standing partnership that has flourished across research, education, and real-world impact. Together, we’ve created a model of collaboration that not only drives innovation but also delivers tangible benefits for our students, researchers, and the wider community. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together, and excited for what’s next”.
This recognition reinforces HORIBA UK’s commitment to advancing science through collaboration, education, and innovation, both locally and globally.
Relevant Links:
HORIBA UK – Northumbria University partnership:
www.labmate-online.com/news/awards2025/198/horiba-uk-ltd/Awards062/64606
How Dr Marc Etherington is using fluorescence spectroscopy to develop novel light-emitting materials:
www.horiba.com/int/scientific/resources/science-in-action/using-fluorescence-spectroscopy-to-develop-novel-light-emitting-materials/
Video interview with Dr Marc Etherington on using Fluorolog-QM™ in advancing research of display panel technology to improve battery life in laptops, phones and tablets: www.youtube.com/watch
