Transform Awards Europe 2025 ‘Special Recognition’ categories see six contenders vying for glory

First introduced to the Transform Awards in 2023, the ‘Brand Strategist of the Year’ and ‘Creative Director of the Year’ categories have since become a couple of the most highly anticipated ahead of the awards night. Transform is proud to announce the shortlist for this year’s ‘Special Recognition’ categories.

The categories seek to identify the most strategic, creative and innovative brand specialists on the continent. They are a celebration of those who are shaping future and current brands, and provide the opportunity to show off companies that understand the importance of investing in their talent.

Transform would like to extend its thanks to this year’s ‘Special Recognition’ judges: Rohit Banka (Accenture Song), Phil Garnham (Monotype), Andrew Humphreys (Siegel+Gale), Ryan Paul (Sustena, a Pariveda Company), Hala Sabbagh (ADinB) and Ursula Winzel (Balcony8).

The contenders will hope to emulate the success of last year’s winners, Weleda’s Silke Bochat and Pentagram’s Angus Hyland, who respectively scooped up the ‘Brand Strategist of the Year’ and ‘Creative Director of the Year’ awards. Considered a world-class brand strategist by judges, one added, “[Bochat is a] great strategist who can understand the problem, think creatively and identify the solution.” Meanwhile, Hyland impressed judges with his incredible portfolio and saw him as an “exemplar of brand transformation”.

This year’s shortlistees have much to live up to. You can find out how they get on live at the Transform Awards Europe 2025 on 26 March at The Brewery, London.

The full shortlist for Transform Awards’ ‘Special Recognition’ category are as follows:

Brand Strategist of the Year

Marina Guirey – DesignHouse

Tim Parker – Conran Design Group

Kayla Risch – Colgate Palmolive

Brenda Sjahrial – DNCO

Creative Director of the Year

Luke Manning – Pencil Studio Ltd

Hamish Shand – Boundless Brand Design