The Contechs Design Award returns for 2026, marking its 19th year of recognising emerging automotive design talent.
Delivered in collaboration with Coventry University, the award has become a respected fixture within both academia and industry. Each year, final-year Transport Design students present their work to an experienced panel of industry leaders, demonstrating not only creativity but a strong understanding of vehicle design and future mobility.
Established in memory of Contechs co-founder Steve Olney, the award reflects Steve’s passion for design, innovation and engineering excellence that still defines the business today. Over nearly two decades, it has helped spotlight students at the very start of their careers, many of whom have gone on to shape the industry across leading OEMs and design studios worldwide.
At its core, the award represents a long-standing collaboration between Contechs and Coventry University, built on a shared commitment to nurturing talent and strengthening the pipeline into the automotive sector. It is about creating opportunities, building confidence and connecting the next generation of designers with the realities of industry.
Pete Jarvis, CEO of Contechs, commented: “The Contechs Design Award is something we’re incredibly proud of. It reflects our belief in supporting emerging talent and staying closely connected to the future of automotive design. With emerging technologies becoming increasingly embedded within the design studio environment, the ability to blend creative thinking with digital and AI-driven tools is more important than ever. Supporting this transition, and seeing the calibre of work year after year from students who go on to achieve great things in the industry, is what makes it so rewarding.”
As the industry continues to evolve, the importance of investing in future talent has never been greater. The 2026 Contechs Design Award will take place on 14th May at Coventry University’s Delia Derbyshire Building, where the next wave of automotive designers will once again take centre stage.
