As part of the inaugural Servitization Awards, presented at this year’s Services Week Gala Dinner, we are delighted to recognise Almudena Marcos, Advanced Services Design & Business Development Manager EMEA at OMRON, as the first recipient of the Servitization Champion of the Year award.
This award honours an individual whose vision and leadership have driven meaningful change through servitization. Almudena’s work within OMRON has been instrumental in transitioning from a traditional, product-centric business to a more agile, service-oriented model that delivers long-term value to customers across the EMEA region.
Over the course of her 24-year career with OMRON, Almudena has blended her engineering background with her knowledge of psychology and a deep understanding of people and processes. Her commitment to innovation, coupled with a passion for customer value, has been central to OMRON’s shift toward advanced services. Her success has been underpinned by strong collaboration with the Advanced Services Group and a continual willingness to share insights and support peers through the wider Advanced Services Partnership.
“I’m deeply honoured to receive the Servitization Champion of the Year award,” Almudena said. “This recognition is wonderful on a personal level, but also a reflection of the incredible team at OMRON who share a vision for transforming how we serve our customers. Servitization allows us to build stronger, more lasting relationships by delivering real, measurable value — and I’m proud to be part of that journey. I want to thank the ASG team for their professionalism and motivational approach. Thanks also to every Advanced Services Partnership member that has contributed to my learnings. Special thanks to Ian Machan for inspiring me to keep on the journey despite the challenges.”
Oleg Pluchshik, Services Manager EMEA at OMRON, emphasised the breadth of Almudena’s contribution:
“Almudena is being recognised for her outstanding leadership in designing and implementing Omron’s advanced services strategy across the EMEA region, enabling a shift from a product-centric approach to a service-oriented model grounded in long-term value. Her work is having a remarkable impact – paying attention to customer satisfaction, improving operational efficiency, and contributing to truly sustainable growth. This award is not only a reflection of her expertise but also of the heart, empathy, and integrity she brings to everything she does.”
Almudena’s impact has extended across functions and geographies, influencing both thinking and practice within the organisation. Ian Machan, who supported Almudena through the Advanced Services Partnership, shared:
“Almudena has consistently pursued a proactive vision of Service within OMRON Industrial Automation. With her customer focus, she strives to pull a historically strong, technically founded business toward advanced services. Almudena has involved, taught and persuaded multiple people within OMRON to understand and recognise the benefit that the approach will surely bring.”
The Servitization Champion of the Year award is designed to highlight individuals who are not only skilled strategists but also exceptional collaborators — willing to lead from the front and empower others around them. Almudena exemplifies these qualities and more.
Reflecting on the importance of the awards, Professor Tim Baines, Executive Director of the Advanced Services Group, commented:
“The Servitization Awards recognise the trailblazers — those who are redefining how value is created and delivered in manufacturing and industrial sectors. These are not just awards for best practice; they celebrate courage, innovation, and leadership in the face of change. Almudena’s journey with OMRON demonstrates just how powerful that leadership can be. She has embedded servitization at a strategic level, while inspiring others to think and act differently. That’s exactly what this award is all about.”
Now a permanent feature of the Advanced Services Group’s calendar, the Servitization Awards will continue to spotlight excellence and innovation in service-led business models — honouring those who help shape the future of industry, one step at a time.