At Lawgistics, we are committed to recognising outstanding talent within our community. It is with great pleasure that we announce the winner of the David Combes Innovation Award for 2024, an accolade sponsored by the Whittlesey Rotary Club in memory of David Combes.
Background of the Award
The David Combes Innovation Award was introduced to honour the legacy of David Combes, a devoted member of the Whittlesey Rotary Club who served as President for several years and was renowned as one of their best fundraisers. David’s most notable achievement, however, was founding Lawgistics, which has grown to become the largest and most respected automotive legal consultancy in the UK. Based in the rural town of Whittlesey, Lawgistics provides legal solutions to over 2000 motor trade businesses nationwide, a testament to David’s forward-thinking, proactive approach, and dedication to hard work.
David was a true innovator, a quality that distinguishes leaders from followers. Innovators observe the world around them, envision improvements, and create solutions to longstanding problems. This award celebrates those who embody the spirit of innovation that David championed.
This Year’s Winner
This year, the award was given to a student from Sir Harry Smith Community College who demonstrated exceptional promise as an innovator. Out of five remarkable finalists, Matilde Sousa stood out with her unique and community-focused business plan for an American diner. Her concept, which involves the adaptive reuse of an existing local site, aims to create a vibrant community hub in Whittlesey.

Matilde’s plan impressed the judges with several key aspects:
- Community Focus: Her proposal aims to encourage socialising across all age groups, fostering a sense of community through various activities.
- Innovative Marketing: The use of loyalty marketing strategies and a detailed business plan demonstrated a thorough understanding of market dynamics.
- Comprehensive Approach: By offering diverse entertainment options such as a soft play area, arcade games, and DJ nights, Matilde’s plan addresses the need for all-age entertainment, making the business idea resilient and inclusive.
Jim Saunders, President of the Whittlesey Rotary Club, emphasised the importance of nurturing innovative thinking among the youth. “The youth of the town are our future, and we want to encourage them to have innovative, positive thinking to take us all in the right direction,” he said.
Matilde attended the ceremony with her mother and sister and expressed her gratitude, saying, “Winning the award is unexpected, and I am really proud and pleased to receive it. I hope to set up a business and work for myself in the future.”
Terry Cooper, Assistant Head of Sir Harry Smith Community College, praised all the students on the enterprise course, noting that this award helps inspire them to aim high in their future endeavours.
Presenting the award was a personal honour for Joel Combes, Managing Director of Lawgistics and son of the late David Combes. He was delighted to see Matilde receive this recognition, stating, “We hope this recognition encourages you to continue your innovative work and inspires others to follow in your footsteps. The world needs innovators like you to help make it a better place.”
Congratulations to Matilde and all the finalists. Your creativity and determination are inspiring, and we look forward to seeing your future achievements.

Photo information and credits (all left to right):-
Photo 1 = Jim Saunders (Whittlesey Rotary Club president), Richard Hunt (Whittlesey Rotary Club treasurer), Matilde Sousa (award winner) Kevin Buckland (Whittlesey Rotary Club vice president), Joel Combes, (managing director of Lawgistics)
Photo 2 = Susanna Combes, Matilde Sousa (award winner), Joel Combes, (managing director of Lawgistics)
Photo permission/credit:
Robert Windle, RWT Photography.