Meet the Global Colourist Award Winner

Dr Nathaniel Crompton Wins Prestigious Global Colourist Award 
Jessica Brooks of WL Gore named runner-up  

Dr Nathaniel Crompton of SwitchDye in Leeds has been named the winner of this year’s SDC Global Colourist Award, one of the most respected international accolades in the colour science and dyeing industry. The award recognises exceptional innovation, technical expertise, and meaningful contributions to the advancement of colour technology. 

Dr Crompton secured the top spot for his groundbreaking work in sustainable dye chemistry. His recent developments focus on reducing the environmental impact of textile coloration while maintaining — and in some cases enhancing — colour performance across a variety of applications. Industry experts praised his forward-thinking approach and his clear commitment to building a more sustainable future for global colouration. 

The runner-up position was awarded to Jessica Brooks of WL Gore in the United States. Jessica impressed the panel with her contributions to high-performance material development, bringing creativity and robust scientific insight to the next generation of colour technologies. Her work was described as both technically rigorous and commercially forward-looking. 

Both finalists demonstrated the kind of excellence that the Global Colourist Award aims to spotlight each year, celebrating individuals who are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in dye chemistry, colour application, and materials science—fields undergoing rapid evolution as the industry confronts environmental and technological challenges. 

The SDC continues to position itself as a leading global organisation for colour professionals, providing education, professional qualifications, and a platform for research and innovation across the textile and materials sectors. This year’s award further underscores the continued importance of advancing sustainable and high-performance colouration solutions worldwide.