Nominations Open for the £25,000 QEST Sanderson Rising Star Craft Award 2026
London, UK - 13 April 2026 – The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), in partnership with Sanderson, has announced that nominations are now open for the 2026 QEST Sanderson Rising Star Craft Award.
The biennial prize awards a £25,000 grant to an emerging UK maker who demonstrates exceptional skill, dedication to their discipline, and a meaningful contribution to their community and the wider craft sector.
Nominations close on Friday 5 June 2026.
In an era where preserving heritage crafts and championing sustainable design practices is increasingly vital, this award provides essential financial support and industry recognition to early-to-mid career craftspeople.
Eligible nominees must have between two and seven years of professional practice, demonstrating strong foundational skills and an ongoing commitment to the development of their expertise.
All nominations must be submitted by a credible referee within the industry.
Lisa Montague, QEST Chair and CEO of Sanderson Design Group, says: “We are delighted to see the Award return for its second iteration – a fantastic opportunity to celebrate emerging talent and champion the strength of British creative industries. Nurturing and preserving heritage craft, and opening the doors to the world of design, sit at the very heart of our mission at Sanderson. It’s inspiring to witness the breadth, depth, and diversity of young craftspeople in our industry, and I look forward to meeting this cycle’s cohort.”
The selection process includes a rigorous interview at Voysey House, the historic headquarters and design archive of Sanderson.
Finalists will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges, including QEST CEO Deborah Pocock LVO, Lisa Montague, former Crafts editor and QEST Ambassador Debika Ray, The World of Interiors Style Director Ruth Sleightholme, and Wallpaper* Design Critic Hugo Macdonald.
They will be joined by Hanny Newton, the inaugural 2024 award recipient, who was recognised for her pioneering use of straw as a highly sustainable alternative to traditional metal threads.
Reflecting on the impact of the prize, Hanny says: “Winning the first QEST Sanderson Rising Star Craft Award marked a pivotal moment in my career. It has brought greater recognition of my work and opened doors to exciting international opportunities and collaborations. Allowing me to show my craft practice to a wider audience has, in turn, helped to raise awareness of the potential of straw as a material. It has also been a huge boost to my confidence, inspiring me to keep dreaming big and surpass my own expectations for what I can achieve within my practice.”
Deborah Pocock LVO, QEST CEO, says: “We’re hugely grateful to Sanderson for their continued support of this important craft prize which helps craftspeople at a pivotal moment in their journeys. Through opportunities like this, we can champion the power of craft, give new voices a platform, and help ensure the next generation of makers can develop their skills and ambitions. We’ve already seen the transformational impact the prize can have through Hanny Newton, the inaugural winner, and we look forward to seeing what this year’s applicants will bring.”
The winner of the 2026 award will be officially announced at a dedicated ceremony on Thursday 8 October 2026.
About [QEST / Sanderson]
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) and Sanderson Design Group share a forward-thinking commitment to sustaining vital heritage crafts and promoting ethical, sustainable practices within the British design industry.
By funding the education and training of talented makers, they ensure that traditional skills remain relevant and innovative for future generations.
