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Award Winners 2009
The Engineering Awards
Cadzow Smith Award
Established in 1996, the Cadzow Smith Engineering Awards were endowed by the Eastern Group plc in recognition of the outstanding services to engineering of its former Chairman, Dr. James C Smith CBE FREng FRSE and now a Past Master. The Awards are for excellence on an accredited undergraduate engineering course conducted at one of the eleven universities within London and the Home Counties. Besides academic excellence, the recipients of the Awards must have demonstrated self-confidence, professional awareness, leadership and sound common sense.
Winner 2009 (Prize £2500) – Prakash Senghani from City University is a versatile and dynamic civil engineering undergraduate who from a strong field particularly impressed the selection panel with his exceptional drive, enthusiasm and clear sense of direction for a career in the engineering profession. Passionate about the need for responsible and sustainable development, he also displayed evident business and commercial sense and a clear ambition to contribute to engineering at high level. He had also clearly impressed both his university, which has offered him a sponsored PhD course, and his attachment company which has offered him a job. With a wide range of interests and irrepressible energy, and displaying clear potential for senior management, he is well-deserving of this Award.
Baroness Platt of Writtle Award
The Award has been established to recognise engineering excellence amongst those pursuing final year studies leading to the academic qualifications for entry to the Engineering Council's Incorporated Engineer grade. The Award is named after Court Assistant, The Baroness Platt of Writtle CBE FREng in recognition of her work in support of the Engineering profession in general and Incorporated Engineers in particular. The Award consists of a prize, medal and certificate. The Award was made for the first time in 2002 and The Engineers ‘ Company wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the Institution of Engineering and Technology in selecting that award winner.
Winner 2009 (Prize £1000) – Peter O’Donoghue completed a Higher National Certificate in Automotive Engineering at Cork University of Technology in 1998. Since then, he has worked for BERG Electronics and BioTector Analytical Systems as a technician, and for De Beers UK Ltd where he is now a Principal Service Engineer. He has studied part time for ten of the past eleven years, culminating in a first class BSc (Hons) in Electronics & Computing at the University of Westminster in 2009. For his final year project, he designed and built a low cost portable instrument to monitor and record the concentration of carbon dioxide. He is now responsible for the UK diamond sorting facility of De Beers UK Ltd, which uses high speed machines to process images and signals. He led a project to reduce energy consumption and running costs by reducing the running time of machinery and reduce the size of vacuum pumps.
Mercia Award
The Award is made annually to a student under 30 and provides a medal and bursary towards the cost of a taught or research programme of postgraduate studies in Medical Engineering.
Winner 2009 (Prize £500) – Barry Lovern is at Cardiff University undertaking a PhD in Medical Engineering and his research is concerned with the classification of shoulder function in healthy and pathological subjects using 3D motion analysis techniques. He has a wide interest in medical engineering, is a frequent collaborator with orthopaedic consultants, has an honorary NHS contract and frequently attends clinic and views surgeries. In his spare time, he is heavily involved with charity work through “Engineers Without Borders UK” a student formed charity whose mission is to facilitate human development through engineering by international development and humanitarian aid. He has been responsible for training events for relief workers, including courses offered by RedR, and for community based projects and training in alternative and sustainable energy.
Water Engineering Award
The Water Engineering award is made jointly with the International Water Association(IWA) for the best presentation and paper at the annual IWA UK Young Water Professionals Conference.
Winner 2009 (Medal) – Ruyi Hu is a Process Development Engineer with United Utilities Group PLC, where he works on the design of new wastewater treatment processes for digestion intensification, as part of the company’s commitment to carbon reduction and sustainability. His major achievement has been the discovery and development of Inverted Phase Fermentation (IPF) technology, work which has been undertaken as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Cranfield University. Ruyi graduated from Central South University in China with a BSc in Pharmaceutical Engineering in 2005. He then gained an MSc award in Pharmaceutical Engineering at Loughborough University in 2006.
Stephenson Award
The Award is intended for those who have been particularly successful in encouraging young people to study engineering with an emphasis, but not exclusively, on mechanical engineering. In 1997, members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers made donations to fund a Worshipful Company of Engineers Loving Cup to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Grant of their Royal Charter. Donations in excess of those needed for the Loving Cup were used to establish the Stephenson Award and further donations were received in 2001 & 2005.
Winner 2009 (Prize £500) – Peter Buckley is the Business Links Co-ordinator for Watford Grammar School for Boys, Watford. Prior to this appointment he worked with BP Exploration and from 1990 joined the teaching profession at the school specialising in the Engineering Education Scheme where he has been responsible for over 60 students many of whom are now studying engineering or taken up a career in this field. He also has developed an Engineering Education Scheme link with the Watford Grammar School for Girls. Additionally, Peter has been running a successful Young Engineers group at school. Furthermore he is a teacher advisor to the Engineering Development Trust and a valued member of the National Advisory Committee.
The Fiona & Nicholas Hawley Award for Environmental Engineering
The Fiona & Nicholas Hawley Award was established in 2006 and is made annually to recognise excellence in environmental engineering to a resident of the UK, under 30 years of age at the date of submission, who holds a graduate or post graduate degree in engineering or science from a recognised UK university, or who is studying for a post graduate degree at such a university. The Hawley Award is aimed at inspiring younger engineers to present a project that has at least reached prototype stage in meeting three tests of social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Winner 2009 (Prize £5000) – Helen Bailey is a civil engineer working with Aggregate Industries UK who had the bright idea to experiment with waste vegetable oil as an alternative to bitumen as the binder in asphalt to overcome separate environmental challenges: reducing the need for bitumen and beneficially exploiting a waste material, without loss of performance in the asphalt. According to the Mineral Products Association (MPA) the asphalt industry produces approximately 25 million tonnes of asphalt every year, requiring a considerable volume of bitumen (about 1.25mt) at a significant cost to the UK trade balance. An alternative use for waste vegetable oil has been identified, researched and developed for use in asphalt, which is proven to achieve the same key properties as bitumen in the asphalt mix and, in so doing, uses a current waste product, reducing reliance on imported expensive hydrocarbons. Furthermore, the substitution of bitumen with waste vegetable oil can reduce the embodied carbon footprint of resultant asphalt products. Following extensive research and development, Helen has demonstrated that all the key material specification requirements using waste vegetable oil in the asphalt mix are comparable with that obtained from bitumen and are compliant with UK Standards. Patents are in the process of application. More information ...
The Services Engineering Awards
The Services Engineering Undergraduate Award
Awarded to an officer graduating from the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme who has achieved outstanding academic performance and demonstrated clear leadership and commitment to a professional engineering career in the Armed Forces.
Officer Cadet Paul Young graduated from the Defence 6th Form College with 4 “A” levels having acted as Deputy Head Student of the College in his final year. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne over the period Sep 04 – Jun 08, graduating with a 1st Class Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a vital lead member in his faculty’s Formula Student team and personally raised some £12000 to help fund this challenging engineering project. Concurrent to his excellent academic contribution, he still found time to add much value within Trojan Squadron whilst at University, involving himself wholeheartedly in all manner of activities. These activities included unit attachments, sport and a considerable amount of adventurous training including organising high risk mountaineering/ trekking expedition to Mongolia. OCdt Young also took part in the Volunteer Africa programme in 2005, helping to build a school in Tanzania and personally raised £1500 for this worthy cause in the process.
The Services Engineering Postgraduate Award
Awarded to an officer completing a postgraduate technical degree who has achieved overall academic excellence and contributed most to the advancement of technical knowledge or its application through a research project.
Lieutenant Paul O’Sullivan RN completed the Nuclear Advanced Course at the Nuclear Department, HMS SULTAN in September 2008. He achieved an outstanding performance with an average overall mark of 72.6%. He was awarded the NAC Course Certificate with distinction and an MSc Degree in Nuclear Technology and Safety Management from Cranfield University. His excellent course mark reflects his high academic ability and determination to succeed in all subjects. During the project phase of the Nuclear Advanced Course, Lt O’Sullivan demonstrated excellent leadership, mentoring, management and team skills when leading the successful Anglo-French design study of a supercritical carbon dioxide cooled gas reactor for an aircraft carrier application. He was recommended for the award of the Institute of Nuclear Engineers Prize, for highest overall performance on the course.
The Services Engineering Training Awards
Awarded to a Warrant Officer or Senior Rating / Non Commissioned Officer of each of the three Services for outstanding achievement in initial or continuing engineering training, measured through leadership and the professional inspiration given to others. Nominations are invited from: Defence College of Electro-Mechanical Engineering, HMS Sultan; Maritime Warfare School, HMS Collingwood; Defence College of Communications and Information Systems; The Royal School of Military Engineering and Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering. Winners are selected against the criteria by The Services Awards Panel of The Worshipful Company of Engineers.
Royal Navy – Chief Petty Officer Marine Engineering Mechanic David Jewitt’s leadership and inspiration of the Royal Naval School of Marine Engineering’s phase 2 trainees has been exceptional. He has led from the front, always set the highest of standards and motivated all trainees to aspire to match them. His contribution to the quality of training, particularly in blending Military Skills and submariner training with technical learning to meet the modern Fleet’s requirements has been remarkable.
Army – Staff Sergeant Graham Lumsdon is an Aeronautical Engineering Technician SSgt serving in a role normally reserved for the more highly technically trained Artificer SSgt at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (Arborfield REME). He has positively thrived on the challenge, proving to be equal to the task both technically and militarily. He quickly identified the need to place technical training in context if students were to truly understand their trade and has organised relevant visits and presentations to achieve this. He has made a major contribution to an ever-increasing first time pass rate for avionic students. Smart and fit he participates in and organises sporting events and encourages trainees to take part no matter what their abilities. An enthusiastic mentor who is dedicated to his craft, SSgt Lumsdon has proved truly inspirational to his trainees.
Royal Air Force – Chief Technician Derek Gladman is employed as an instructor on Trade Management Training at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (Cosford) which prepares newly promoted sergeants for their responsibilities as senior non-commissioned officers. He has been a driving force behind the improvement of this course to bring it up to date to focus on the diverse managerial role of a Royal Air Force sergeant in a modern expeditionary air force. He has also sought to gain professional recognition for the skills of the NCO cadre. Through his drive and determination he has continued to promote the professionalism and high standards of the Royal Air Force and provide the trainees with a qualification of which they can be rightly proud.
The Services Operational Engineering Awards
Awarded to an officer, from various Service and Corps areas, who has best made the application of professional engineering judgement or technical innovation to contribute significantly to the maintenance or enhancement of operational capability or effectiveness in any theatre of operations, including the UK.
Royal Navy Operational Engineering Award
(Called the “Thunderer” award to sustain the heritage of this name within The Worshipful Company of Engineers)
Lieutenant Joe Stevens RN has served as a helicopter structural Repair Officer in Afghanistan for 10 of the last 18 months. Demonstrating outstanding leadership, his work has required exceptional engineering judgement, frequent technical innovation and excellent communication skills to maximise aircraft availability in support of war fighting operations. Routinely delivering rapid, pragmatic and innovative repair solutions for a range of military helicopters, he has led his small team to excellent effect in conducting repair activity in the forward battle-space, including during active hostilities. Overall his efforts have exemplified the utility of the operational engineer in maintaining front line military capability.
Royal Engineers Operational Engineering Award
Major Peter Helme deployed to Afghanistan as an Infrastructure Staff Officer in July 2008, responsible for managing almost 500 projects in the £200 million infrastructure works programme supporting British Forces across Afghanistan. His role took on even greater importance as the campaign moved from an expeditionary to a campaign footing. He was instrumental in producing the development plan for the Main Operating Bases, and his technical investigation of a bunkers collapse greatly improved safety. Demonstrating the ability to assimilate vast amounts of information and identify and prioritise key issues, he determined pragmatic engineering solutions to match local conditions. Major Helme worked tirelessly during his 6 month tour, greatly contributing to the enhancement of operational effectiveness on Operation Herrick.
Royal Signals Operational Engineering Award
Captain Mark Todd has been instrumental in the delivery of BOWMAN across the complex environment of 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division. Without BOWMAN training he applied first engineering principles to empower himself to become a leading exponent for the 3rd Operational Field Trail. The BOWMAN Combat Infrastructure Platform 5 programme has been directly influenced by him. The key areas are: Local Area System stability, collaborative working, development of the Data Storage Sub System and the Headquarters Server. He also designed and delivered a bespoke wide area system that was successfully deployed to the Czech Republic in support of Air Land Integration. He is now conducting experimentation and trials of the Tactical Network Gateway.
Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers Operational Engineering Award
Major Simon Holford has demonstrated outstanding commitment to engineering, to improving the professional standing of his Corp and to ensuring the needs of 4th Mechanized Brigade, including the wider Army, are met on operations. He has been instrumental in delivering unprecedented levels of equipment availability in demanding operational missions. Additionally he has identified cross-cutting technology to seek innovative solutions to Urgent Operational Requirements which has been essential to ensuring the Army's future success on operations.
Royal Air Force Operational Engineering Award
Squadron Leader Sean O’Sullivan is the Officer Commanding Quality & Continual Improvement Team at Royal Air Force Marham, where he has been at the forefront of change management on this operational-pivotal, front line Station. A strong leader in a challenging role, he pioneered a deployed Quality and Continual Improvement Model to standardize the in-theatre working practices for the seven GR4 Tornado Squadrons that roule through Afghanistan. By convincing the Station Commanders and Squadron Senior Engineers of the change benefits, the whole Tornado force will gain from this comprehensive safety and capability framework, and thereby ensure Engineering Standards and Practices in the most demanding of circumstances.
The Services Engineering Support Award
Awarded to a serviceman who has contributed most, through the application of engineering skills including the use of leadership, management and technical acumen to meet material availability targets for any of the Armed Forces. The recipient would normally be chosen from the Defence Equipment & Support Organisation.
Staff Sergeant Gary Holman is the Project Manager for Project FOLIO in the Helicopter and Islander Combined Project Team which is a £30M programme (5 Urgent Operational Requirements) to field a major upgrade for Special Forces surveillance aircraft and to deliver 4 additional airframes. Such a task would normally be allocated to a level higher than a SSgt but resulting success has been achieved through Staff Sergeant Holman’s outstanding engineering skills, leadership, management and technical acumen, in the acquisition and integration of new capabilities to meet defence wide needs.