As the Prolific North Creative Awards deadline of the 13th April gets closer, the spotlight falls not only on the region’s standout work, but on the industry leaders tasked with judging it.
Bringing together expertise from across media, marketing, design and talent development, this year’s panel reflects the breadth and ambition of the North’s creative economy. From global agency leaders to champions of emerging talent, the judges represent the people shaping the industry right now.
Here’s a closer look at some of the names helping to define the standard in 2026:
Caroline Aikman
Caroline Aikman is Marketing Director at MediaCity, where she leads the strategic vision and delivery of marketing, brand and communications activity for one of the UK’s leading creative, tech and media hubs.
With extensive experience shaping place-based brands, Caroline plays a key role in driving MediaCity’s profile, implementing major campaigns and supporting its continued growth as a world-class destination for innovation and talent.
Mike Scott
Executive Creative Director of SocialChain, overseeing all creative output for the agency.
Working with global clients such as Disney, Diageo, Mondelez and Nestle.
A graphic designer by trade and a type nerd.
Sweta Pathak
An award-winning creative leader with more than 25 years of experience in the advertising & marketing industry, Sweta’s worked in the UK and Internationally. Her work has been recognised by: Cannes, D&AD, One Show, and Campaign Outdoor Hall of Fame. Sweta was voted as 40overforty and Pitch List ‘Super Person’ in 2021, the next generation female leader by Campaign UK and Creative Equals in 2019 and a ‘Badass Girl’ the same Year.
Being one of the very few diverse, senior female creatives in the UK, Sweta co-founded ‘Women Unltd’ – a platform to inspire, empower and support aspiring female leaders in the Industry. Sweta has been a speaker at Zee Melt, The Birmingham Design Festival and Birmingham City University (visual communications) Grad Shows. She’s also a mentor at MEFA, BDF and YCC and does portfolio crits, and guest lectures at art colleges across the UK to support and inspire new talent.
Victoria Fawcett
Victoria joined the independent creative agency BJL in 2016, where she teamed up with the agency’s then-CEO Nicky Unsworth in a new business and marketing role focused on driving growth and new business wins. Having played a pivotal role in BJL’s transition into the Dentsu network, Victoria is now responsible for driving the fame and reputation of the new global creative agency, Dentsu Creative. Her role includes championing the talent within the business, highlighting the agency’s award-winning work, for brands such as Ronseal, Kraft Heinz and Halfords and raising awareness of Dentsu Creative’s mission to produce work that Changes Society, Creates Culture and Invents the Future.
Prior to this Victoria studied International Fashion Marketing in Manchester, before moving to London to begin her career in the world of fashion and beauty PR. Her first role at Modus saw her work on campaigns for a variety of brands including NARS, Bumble and Bumble, Jonathan Saunders, Puma and London Fashion Week. This experience led to a move into the model and celebrity talent management, where Victoria was involved in everything from magazine and TV casting to shoot production and public appearances. As a talent agent, she secured high-profile opportunities for clients in the likes of Stylist Magazine, Celebrity Big Brother, FHM and Celebrity Juice.
Phil Cookson
Phil is Co-Founder of School of Thought, the creative course and competition that has been running in Manchester and Leeds since 2016, working with the best Northern Agencies to develop the idea generation, creative thinking under pressure and pitching skills of 166 participants and sending 14 winners to Cannes Lions. Phil is also Director at Creative Resource and has been helping agencies and brands to find and retain talent for 20 years.
Setting the bar for 2026
With entries expected from across the North’s thriving creative, digital and media sectors, the role of the judges has never been more critical.
The Prolific North Creative Awards 2026 promise to celebrate not just great work, but the ideas, people and collaborations pushing the industry forward.
DEADLINE IS 13TH APRIL so get registered today and don’t miss out!
