Judges
The industry experts lending their support and expertise in the search for winning websites and apps.

Sara Tasker
Sara is a writer and creative business consultant who credits Instagram with changing her life. Her podcast, Hashtag Authentic, offering advice for creatives business owners online has over 1M downloads to date. Her work is regularly featured by press such as The Guardian, BBC Radio, Stylist Magazine and Wired, and she was named 'content creator of the year' by Cosmopolitan Magazine in 2018.Sara has a chronic health condition that makes it hard for her to access traditional work, and is passionate about helping others build lives and businesses that allow for both their strengths and struggles. Twitter: @meandorla Instagram: @me_and_orla
Best thing about my job... Getting to help other creatives build businesses and make their dreams come true!
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Start simple, and make it fancy later. It can be so tempting to hold back on launching something until all the bells and whistles are in place, but so often that stops us from ever getting our work out into the world. Start simple, and then build on more once it's up and running.
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... These days I'm wishing I'd been behind Instagram - mainly so I'd have been able to keep creative control and stop it from sliding into Facebook 2.0, which is where it seems to be headed...
Internet hero... Someone like PoppinKREAM on Reddit, who posts lengthy, impeccably-sourced analysis of the US political situation, to combat disinformation and bots. As we all navigate the problems of modern internet interaction, individuals devoting their time and energy to cutting through the noise and helping us all be more responsible digital citizens should be in spandex and capes, as far as I'm concerned.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... Something with a spark. I've got a special interest in anything that's helping people solve problems or meet a need - whether that's simply offering brilliant entertainment, helping people find the best products or creating new waves in community or social justice.

Rosie Nixon
Rosie is Editor-in-Chief of HELLO! magazine, where she has worked for the past 11 years. She was awarded Editor of the Year (celebrity and entertainment) by the British Society of Magazine Editor's in 2017. Rosie has worked in the magazine industry for 20 years and previously held senior positions at glossy women's titles including Grazia, Glamour and Red. Rosie is the author of two novels The Stylist and Amber Green takes Manhattan. The Stylist is currently in development as a Hollywood movie.
Best thing about my job... Every week is different, boredom does not exist! I'm lucky to meet interesting people every day.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Think twice before you post and always be kind.
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... Shazam, it feels like a mini miracle each time. Discovering great music is one of my biggest pleasures.
Internet hero... Reshma Saujani - the founder of tech organisation Girls Who Code, which supports and encourages girls to enter the digital technology world. Her latest book 'Brave Not perfect' is a fantastically inspiring read about how to achieve more by fearing less.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app...Filling a gap in the market, a slick user experience and innovation.

Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey
Ginnie worked at British Vogue for twelve years, as the Executive Retail Editor; a role which gave her insight into the workings of both fashion and beauty brands and their different approaches to targeting the consumer, in an age of fickle consumerism where brand loyalty is almost impossible to secure. Presenting the bi-annual Vogue Trend Report fused the creative with the commercial, and this is exactly what Ginnie has taken into her own company, VCHStyle. She now writes for the Sunday Telegraph, consults for brands both high street and high end, and she works as a stylist to her private clients. Most importantly of all she is mother to two girls.
Best thing about my job... The variety. So often at Vogue we had to focus hard on the brands that advertised, so much so it was easy to miss some truly creative brands that just never quite had the budget to invest in advertising. Now I get to work with a much wider variety of brands, people approach me and I have the time to respond.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Treat social media like you would a newspaper. Focus on it in the morning, then get on with your day.
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... I'm pretty sure I did actually come up with Instagram with my brother-in-law! It's just that the team were probably close to completion over in Silicon Valley just as I was drawing a flow chart here in Berkshire!
Internet hero... Natalie Massanet
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... I am someone who wants to enjoy the journey so colour, a good font, great graphics if necessary. I want to understand the brand message without having to always click on the 'About Us' section. I would also remind applicants that I am from a print background so I am here to both learn and to be impressed!

Not Such A Model Mum
Jessica Arora and Caroline Barton founded ‘Not Such A Model Mum’ in 2016 as a lifestyle, fashion and beauty blog for mums trying to juggle it all. With over four decades of modelling and fashion experience between them, their blog and Instagram is jam packed full of fashion and beauty tips learnt from the best in the business.
Best thing about my job... Caroline: The freedom to be creative and write about the things we enjoy and care about.
Jess: Every day is different, we get to meet and work with the most incredible, interesting and creative people and this job gives you the highest of the highs as well as the lowest of the lows. Just like life really!
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Caroline: Put your phone on silent at night. Everything can wait until you have slept!
Jess: Enjoy this ride because nobody knows where it is going.
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... Caroline: Instagram. It is almost unusual not to see people using this app. Had we discovered Instagram and its power sooner, we may have been able to predict the influence it has had both on fashion and on how we socialise in general.
Jess: It’s not fancy or cool, but does exactly what it says on the tin and works so well... I'm obsessed with visiondirect.co.uk and their sister brand glassesdirect.co.uk. So simple and obvious, easy to use and with fast delivery... just what I need when I’ve run out of lenses or one of my kids has trodden on my glasses... again!
Internet hero... Caroline: I like to think anyone who has used the internet to create change and good in the world for the better, whether big or small.
Jess: Tim Berners Lee, the British engineer who actually invented the World Wide Web, and who is now a professor at Oxford and MIT. Without him where would we be?!
What we're looking for in a winning site/app... A couple of things... 1. For a site to offer unique content with the potential to create good in people’s lives. 2. A site or app should have great usability, and should be simple and easy to navigate with a cool design.

Lily Liebel
Lily is the Creative Director of Entourage Collection, a group of companies that specialise in brand building and consulting, concierge and events. With offices in London and Hong Kong, Entourage is a leading voice in the luxury world. Lily is also involved in various philanthropic endeavours, including the Old Vic and the English National Ballet.
Best thing about my job... The incredible variety of projects we get involved with and the immensely talented people we work with on a daily basis. From the legend himself Manolo Blahnik to the visionary photographer Mary McCartney, to working on a range of projects with the incomparable Chef Francis Mallmann, every project brings a new, truly phenomenal and inspiring experience and opportunity. I love working behind the scenes, watching an initial dream be transformed into a true reality, and being involved in the creation of the cultural landscape.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Always do browser and device testing! Make sure your website works properly across the various different browsers (Safari, Chrome etc.), and make sure a website looks good and works properly on all the various devices out there, i.e. desktop computers, androids and iPhones etc.
Internet hero... Natalie Massenet transformed the online landscape, fusing retail and luxury and how we shop and are inspired today.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... Beautiful and original design combined with intuitive functionality that clearly communicates both the ethos and MO of the company.

Kinvara Balfour
Director, writer and producer, Kinvara frequently speaks at conferences around the world on the subjects of tech, trends, film, fashion and the zeitgeist. A recent project, THE VISIONARIES is an exclusive series of mini-films for the insta generation.
Best thing about my job... It’s incredibly varied, full of surprises and it forever keeps me on my toes.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... When it comes to creating your own website or social media feed, keep it simple.
Internet hero... Oh gosh, where do I start? Sir Tim Berners Lee because he created the world wide web.
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... DailyCandy.com because it was such a genius idea and arrived in the world way before all its mimickers and competitors. It really changed the e-publication landscape.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... Simplicity with complexity - images thoughtfully displayed and beautifully laid out - a beautiful, chic, cool aesthetic combined with sharp, interesting copy that adds depth and value to what it is describing whilst still being a) wholly useful and b) a joy to read.

Ashika Chauhan
Ashika is the Digital Creative Director at bigdog – part of themission, headline sponsor of The GWG Website of the Year Awards. Passionate about engaging content, immersive user experiences, beautifully crafted design and creatively harnessing emerging technology. Over the last decade Ashika has worked in the UK and Australia on local and global campaigns for the likes of L’Oréal, NEFF, Bridgestone and EA Games, to name a few.

Matt Isherwood
Matt is Managing Director of themission Agency fuse, exploring emerging technologies to create transformative products. He’s worked in digital for almost 20 years and has a passion for innovation, gadgets and improving customer experiences.

Patrick Furse
Patrick, Digital Director of themission Agency Bray Leino, is an expert in planning and executing effective, creative and innovative digital experiences - from websites and apps to marketing campaigns, social media and interactive content. Patrick has spent 20 years as a leader in digital and integrated agencies – delivering digital excellence at senior level for brands like British Airways, Castrol, Visa, BP, News International, Sky, Intel, Orange, Vodafone, BT, Post Office & the BBC.

Polly Williams
Polly, inspired by her love of helping designers and brands launch or expand their business, founded the multi - award winning Camberyard in 2015. She is now one of the UK’s leading business development consultants for interiors, brands and designers. Spotting a gap in the market for the ‘business side’ of interior design, she now offers expert business advice, mentoring and networking to interior design professionals.

Becky Gunning
Becky is the founder of Bricks & Stitches, lifestyle blog and shop. When the former solicitor had children, she wanted work to be more flexible and so took on various part-time jobs from home. Like many people, Becky started with an Instagram page more for herself; she was in the process of renovating a Victorian house and wanted to share her progress along with some fashion posts. Soon after she launched the blog and leading on from that her online clothing shop.
Best thing about my job... It is impossible to pin point the best part of my job. The fact it works around the family is the biggest draw although I don’t always get the work/family balance right! I have had some amazing opportunities, for example going to Dubai with Ridley London to launch their SS19 collection and have met some really inspirational people. There is a really supportive online community as well.
Best piece of digital advice... Be consistent - it seems simple but in reality it's hard to do. I need to keep my online shop and my instagram fresh to keep my followers and customers engaged.
The website or app I wish I’d thought of... I’m not sure if this app exists yet but I would love to be able to photograph someone’s outfit and have an app which recognised the brand, shop and price so that I could simply click and buy!
What I’m looking for in a winning site... With so many websites and apps out there, it is really difficult to find something original. It needs to be easy to navigate and intriguing from the outset. As well as an original design and easy usability the content must be engaging.

Glenn Thorsen
Glenn is a curious minded and rampant lifestyle tech enthusiast. He has a strong background in startups and scaling companies with experience ranging from advisory roles to developing new market and product strategies from the ground up. Most recently, he was part of the Gaest.com team that was acquired by Airbnb in early 2019 where he now works on Strategic Partnerships.
Best thing about my job (as a business angel)... The freedom to think big and make unique things happen in a traditional space where imagination is not always front of mind
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Just because we can, doesn't mean we should.
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... Waze - I actually had a conversation with a close friend and colleague in Sydney, Australia a good 4/5 years before Waze became common knowledge (is it common knowledge??) where we discussed the value of a community generated content platform to showcase the best local driving routes. Suffice to say, none of us had the expertise or resource to build it at the time and suddenly Waze was making waves...
Internet hero... Technically not an 'internet hero', but if Alan Turing could have had the internet at his disposal I would love to have seen the results. His 1936 paper on the 'Universal Machine' however definitely qualifies him in my book!
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... I'm keen to see the vision for what we can do better, smarter and quicker - the winning site/app doesn't need to be the finished product right away, but there needs to be a clear vision for how this will make a real difference. I am a strong believer in 'lifestyle tech' - solutions that have a tangible day to day impact on our individual lives and collective society and this is what I hope to see as an underlying driver for the winner this year.

Jessica Rogers
Jessica is a Business & Executive Coach with a diverse range of clients that includes established entrepreneurs scaling up business and women ready for challenge and impact. She started her career in marketing, working for international media and publishing organisations. She has been featured in press including Marie Claire magazine, and regularly on BBC local radio.
Best thing about my job... – Seeing my clients find their voice to do work which positively impacts their community and society as a whole.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Be consistent and be yourself.
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... Audible. Giving people access to consume books in the way that works for them.
Internet hero... This was a tough one as I’m not sure I have any internet heroes but some I enjoy following online is Samata Pattinson.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... A clear USP and that is easy to use!

Tanya Hamilton-Smith
Tanya started her career working for Omnicom then WPP agencies across a range of global and local clients. She worked through the shift from traditional to digital advertising with her clients and partners. She co-founded The Influence Room with Alex Payne; identifying and commercialising the market for the product that he created.
Best thing about my job... Being able to witness, first hand, another drastic shift to the media landscape
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... ‘Be’ digital don’t just ‘do’ digital; make these products an intrinsic part of your life then you won’t be able to live without them
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... Monzo is the most intuitive app I’ve ever used. Not only is the product insightful specifically to my needs but it’s design and delivery is exceptional.
Internet hero... Reed Hastings; I can’t tell you the last time I watched normal TV!
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... Intuitive user experience, differentiated product and slick design.

Fiaz Iqbal
Fiaz is a dynamic, self-motivated and performance driven businessman, Founder & CEO of Cult Furniture and has several other successful businesses in his portfolio. The unique attribute to Cult Furniture is that Fiaz and his team of over 100 work hard to ensure impeccable design meets quality and style; while offering a wide range of different styles at affordable prices.
Best thing about my job...It is always changing — always evolving — and I get front row seats to watch the process of a simple idea grow into a successful international business. Every day is different, and it is a constant adventure.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Success Doesn’t Happen Overnight, So Celebrate All the Small Wins
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... WGSN - An amazing and inspirational platform for the creative industry, we love to keep up to date with all the latest trends and keep an eye on the trend forecasts.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... I am looking for something different and something unique and I expect impeccable execution of the project. Having worked in the industry for over fifteen years now, I have a keen eye for explicit design.

Cecilia Harvey
Cecilia is on a mission to champion diversity in tech and to support women who want to be leaders. She heads up Tech Women Today and is working on This Tech World. She is also the founder of the mobile beauty and fitness services app, WalkingRed.

Dan Ziv
Dan joined TouchNote as Chief Product Officer in 2016 and became UK Managing Director in May 2017. Prior to TouchNote, Dan was co-founder of Uncover, the award-winning premium restaurant reservation app, which was acquired by Velocity in 2015. He was previously a M&A lawyer in the technology sector and is currently an advisor and board member in several early and late stage startups and mentors at Techstars London.
Best thing about my job... I get to work with super smart and creative people who are trying to solve really hard problems. That's by far the best part of this job.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Not sure this is advice or just a great quote to remember but I regularly quote the phrase "The plural of anecdote is data".
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... Bird or Lime - I am a huge fan of the scooter renting apps
Internet hero... Ben Horowitz for his experience and thought leadership as well as for the fantastic book "The hard things about hard things"
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... The basics really... great user experience with an easy to understand business model.

Alex Minchin
Alex is the founder & MD of Zest Digital, an award-winning digital agency focused on driving revenue growth for its ambitious clients. Zest positively influence the two most important metrics for businesses marketing online; increasing the volume and quality of traffic and conversions from digital channels.
Best thing about my job... I am constantly challenged and I learn something new each and every day. I also get to see my team grow, which is pretty awesome.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... When all is said and done, it's still about people and offering value.
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... WhatsApp, the simple no frills chat app. The reason: I can think of 21.8 billion of them!
Internet hero... Maddox - still the most original blogger out there, 20+ years on, and still absolutely hilarious.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... Acute attention to detail. This is what sorts the good from the great.

Lucinda Robins
Lucinda created The London Mummy when her youngest child was a baby as she was tired of emailing round robins about her friends new businesses. She decided to put them in a central place and those who were interested could subscribe. It evolved into a directory, product reviews, fashion and lifestyle and now has it's own shop, selling clothes and accessories - TLM Edit.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given: Less is more!
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why: Shopify. It is such a user friendly commerce website and app, easy for a novice to use.
Internet hero: Lucy Ablets' JOKE Any women that has launched a business, post baby haze. There is something about motherhood that makes great entrepreneurs. The more you have to do, the more you get done.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app: A website with a low bounce rate - each product or page leads to you another so you end up spending hours on it as it is so useful or interesting.

Neil Finnie
Founder of the international training provider Corkscrew and South West based cowork space the Generator, Neil has built communities and ecosystems committed to helping future proof individuals and businesses in the fourth industrial revolution through innovation in education, training and Corkscrew Thinking.
Best thing about my job... It's all about the people! Both businesses allow me to surround myself with inspiring individuals from all types of backgrounds and cultures.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Be as authentic with your business online as offline.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... Something that keeps bringing me back, a site that grows with me and something that can keep surprising me.

Natasha Courtenay-Smith
Natasha is a leading expert on integrated digital marketing, social media and PR. She is also a best-selling published author, keynote speaker, accredited Facebook trainer, CEO of Bolt Digitaland and mum of two. Natasha has an extensive media and journalism background, having worked for national newspapers in a variety of roles, before striking out on her own in 2007. Over the next seven years, she created and built the UK’s leading digital press agency, before selling her company to the UK’s largest press agency group.

Coral Garlick
Coral is the founder of Brand Me Collective, a membership network for ambitious female founders of pioneering, upscale brands. Coral is an experienced British business mentor specialising in brand building. She spent the first ten years of her career working in advertising, directing global accounts at Ogilvy & Mather and TBWA. Her eponymous lifestyle photography business provided her with first-hand experience in founding and building a successful company, underscoring the importance of building a brand and focusing on a strong commercial strategy.
Best thing about my job... Working with so many amazing women and brands. Also connecting people together and seeing those relationships flourish.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... To work with a separate designer and web developer. The best developers are not necessarily creative and vice versa.
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... Flowerbx. A simple but brilliant concept - beautiful, single bloom flowers direct from the grower. .
Internet hero... Too many brands to mention but I love what Georgie Coleridge Cole has done with Sheer Luxe.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... A clever idea, beautifully executed.

Brian Woulfe
Brian founded multi award-winning London interior design studio, Designed by Woulfe. With over a decade’s experience, he has overseen projects throughout Europe, the US and Asia-Pacific regions creating modern, classic designs reflecting his intrinsic understanding of the international property market. He is passionate about creating comfortable, luxurious yet playful interiors.
Best thing about my job... Every project is as unique as each individual client and no day if every repeated.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Don’t rush it, get it right!
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... A great user experience with engaging content and quality photography.

Tori Cadogan
Tori is the Education Editor for Tatler magazine. She edits the Tatler Schools Guide, the impartial guide to the best independent UK schools, and recently relaunched their social media and online output. She writes and hosts an accompanying podcast series called Tatler Talks: Education, which focuses on wellbeing and mental health within the education system. Prior to her role at Conde Nast, Tori worked as a Senior Broadcast Journalist and Producer for BBC Newsgathering, mainly based 'in the field', she produced news output from riots, court rooms, floods and Buckingham Palace.

Anna Bance
Anna Bance is co-founder of Girl Meets Dress, the luxury online dress rental site. Anna also writes for The GWG, sharing her web know-how and shedding light on the latest launches, the hottest feeds on Instagram and high street trends.

Tony Brennand
Tony is a Director of award winning web design company, Digital Marmalade. Having been in the industry since 1996, Tony has seen and been involved in delivering a lot of digital products over the years. Recent clients inc The Times, HRH The Duke of York, WSJ & Fusion Lifestyle.
Best thing about my job... The variety and scope of challenges we get to overcome, the places my job has taken me and the inspiring people I’ve been lucky to meet along the way
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... The technology might change but the fundamentals of problem solving, and delivery do not – keep the project purpose front of mind and don’t unnecessarily over-complicate anything.
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... We argued many years ago about whether a video platform should be curated or left without any quality control – I said no quality control, but was persuaded it wouldn’t work – it seemed my instinct was right, so I have to say YouTube.
Internet hero... Hard question but I would say Hugh Boyle (CEO Tracey Locke) as he showed me the opportunities of digital and how, if you open your mind, solutions to problems could flow. Stood me in very good stead over the years.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... I’m looking beyond the idea into the execution – a site/app that has taken digital into an innovative, interesting and relevant direction. Something that is on-point, delivers what the user wants in a dynamic, intuitive, and seemingly simple way. I saw plenty of examples of that last year, so really excited to see what this year’s crop bring.

Leanne Walstow
Leanne is Editor of The List by House & Garden. She began her career at the magazine in 2016 when she joined the online team, she has since worked on the print edition before becoming Editor of The List in February this year.
Best thing about my job... Discovering all the amazing new design talent that is out there.
Best piece of digital advice I've been given... Consistency is key.
The website or app that I wish I'd thought of and why... The ‘Too Good to Go’ app is a genius way of combating food waste.
Internet hero... The Guardian for not putting up a paywall - it is essential that quality news journalism remains accessible for all.
What I'm looking for in a winning site/app... Relevant content that is beautifully styled on a platform that is easy to use.
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