Dr Adeayo Sotayo, Brunel University

Dr Adeayo Sotayo, CEng, BEng (Hons), PhD, AFHEA, MIET is a Chartered Engineer and Research Fellow with Interests in Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), Data Analysis, Industry 4.0, Sustainability, Materials and Manufacturing Processes. He is working on a £3.6 million European Commission-funded project to educate and upskill the workforce for the additive manufacturing (3D printing) sector. He actively promotes Engineering to school-age children and students from socio-economically disadvantaged and BAME backgrounds.

Dr Ejay Nsugbe, Nsugbe Research Labs

Dr. Nsugbe is a Control Systems Engineer and Cyberneticist. He is also a Lecturer in a co-hosted position by Babcock Intl and Portsmouth University, where he lectures the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers within the British Army. In addition to this, he is also an independent researcher in the area of Man-Machine Augmentation where he collaborates internationally alongside other academic scholars on projects that span Upper-Limb Prosthesis Control and Clinical Cyber-Human Decision support models. He is a 4x Chartered Professional across disciplines where in addition to being a CEng, he is also a CMath, CPhys and CSci.

Emily Spearman, Ørsted

Emily Spearman is Global Head of PMO (Portfolio Management Office) in QHSE for Orsted – the most sustainable energy company in the world. Alongside her busy career, being a Trustee of the Energy Institute and a mum of two young children, Emily dedicates her time to making positive changes for others by modernising ways of working to be more inclusive and by being an active supporter of women at all stages of their educational or career journey.

Natalie Mitchell, BAE Systems Submarines

Natalie is the Senior Engineering Manager for the Dreadnought Class Combat System at BAE Systems Submarines. Natalie has progressed quickly from the BAE Systems Graduate Scheme, being awarded CEng within the first 3.5 years of her career and becoming the youngest Senior Engineering Manager within her business unit. Natalie has consistently demonstrated an ability to learn quickly and apply her knowledge to challenging tasks and consistency seeks to inspire and encourage others within Engineering.

Ella Northey, Balfour Beatty

Ella is an advocate for how beneficial an apprenticeship can be, she has shown substantial grow as an engineer during her 2 years in the industry. She has achieved both professional and academic success which is a product of her work ethic, drive and passion for engineering. Ella is a STEM ambassador who strives to encourage and inspire future generations and aims to drive diversity within the industry.

Katherine Scott, BT Technology

Despite no previous background in engineering prior to her apprenticeship, Katherine has developed strongly in a short space of time. She comes from a unique experience of previously studying a non-technical subject at university, pursuing a career in education, and then returning to education as an apprentice.

Katherine has rotated within multiple roles and gained a multitude of technical skills. This includes time spent with BT’s film and television VOD service, IT support & BT Sport teams.

Natasha Dunkinson, BAE Systems

Natasha is a conscientious apprentice who strives for excellence in everything she undertakes. She is a role model, due to her hard-working nature and dedication to her studies and placements. This year has been filled with success for Natasha, gaining a place on the Women Engineering Society Apprentice Board, gaining incredible University results, and completing multiple placements virtually. Natasha is dedicated to promoting engineering and mentor younger students considering an engineering or STEM pathway.

Ryan Holland, Airbus

Ryan is a role model apprentice who rarely seeks reward for his work, instead he is motivated by his own experience and the challenges he has faced to want to help and support others. His commitment to his extracurricular activities, both through STEM engagement and his work with Pride@Airbus have not been to the detriment of his academic studies. He continues to excel in his degree and demonstrates exceptional innovative thinking at the forefront of aerospace research in the workplace.

Georgina Wilson Cousins, Brunel University

Georgina’s life experiences fundamentally influence her work as an honest, committed and reliable Engineer. Has the ability to maintain deep levels of focus and motivation when engaged with a novel, complex or repetitive problem. Autism overpowers her sense of neurological pain because she is tenacious and resilient translating to her career, academic studies and personality. Being neurotypical enhances her innate inclusive nature when working within a team so she smashes stereotypes for all her ‘labels’.

Hannah Gibson, University of Glasgow

Hannah has a passion for promoting inclusion and diversity in engineering, reflected by her leadership role in the Female Engineering Society. In addition, she was the Project Manager of an engineering outreach project, leading a team which taught science and engineering to children in Rwanda. Despite this, Hannah maintained a first-class grade in her studies, with a particular passion in rehabilitation for spinal cord injury patients.

Jennifer Glover, Loughborough University

Jennifer is an ardent activist for engineering, through her professionalism, commitment to inspiring the next generation and the promotion of diversity and equality. She is currently a PhD research student endeavouring to provide innovative and progressive solution to jet engine noise aiming to improve the aviation noise environment. She is a leader within the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) representing university students at a national level and a committed STEM Ambassador.

Sonali Patel, University of Warwick

Sonali is a passionate, ambitious and enthusiastic role model determined to encourage diversity and inclusion in the industry and inspire the next generation of engineers. As an EqualEngineers Student Ambassador and Head of Events and Publicity for Warwick Women in Engineering and Science, she actively takes part in outreach activities, advocating for equality and collaboration. Sonali is constantly challenging herself to become a better engineer and encourages others to be the best they can be.

Adam Smith, nucleargraduates

Adam is an enthusiastic ambassador for the industry, inspiring young people through their STEM and SME engagement, introducing a different perspective to young people and by adapting their communication styles to ensure understanding at all levels.  His dedication to giving every young person, regardless of background or ability the opportunity to engage is commendable and makes them an outstanding role model.

Alexandra Mather, WSP

Alexandra is a Graduate Engineer at WSP. Aiming to promote Engineering as a career, she volunteers her time to several committees focusing on encouraging women in Engineering, including “Women’s Engineering Society Early Careers Board”. She harnessed her role as local WSP “Professional Growth Network” Newcastle lead representative to co-lead events aiming to improve collaboration and inclusion; and has blogged about her efforts to encourage others to follow suit. Alexandra is a positive ambassador for Engineering.

Jane Wright, Transport for London

Jane is a Graduate Systems Engineer at Transport for London (TfL) with a passion for clean energy and carbon reduction. She has presented at university workshops on Bus Electrification, and is currently part of a team leading TfL’s roll out of carbon modelling. Jane is keenly engaged in STEM outreach: she led TfL’s 2020 This is Engineering Day social media strategy and has mentored secondary school girls to introduce them to engineering as a career.

Lara Lightfoot, Story Contracting

Lara is a hardworking, motivated, and passionate graduate engineer, dedicated to her career and inspiring the future generation. She is a proud advocate for women in construction, and consistently works to destigmatize mental health in the industry through her fundraising and toolbox talks. In the first 18 months of her career, Lara has already made a significant effect within Story, and is exploring how good engineering enhances, rather than diminishes, the environment.

Alison Pepper, Arcadis

Alison Pepper is a Principal Engineer specialising in dams and rivers, working to keep communities safe from flooding.  She took time off after her son was born and returned to work during following maternity leave.  Returning to work during a global pandemic brought many unexpected challenges which Alison has risen to, forming a network with other parents to support each other and learn to readjust to life as working parents during a global pandemic.

Haley Storey, BAE systems

Haley is role model for anyone wanting to return to engineering who has been out of the industry and has demonstrated that a career break is no barrier to being a hugely valued contributor to the success of an engineering company. Her attitude and self-discipline has fueled her success in being a knowledgeable member of a highly technical team.

Anna Waddington, NATS

Anna Waddington, Director of Transformation and Business Services at NATS, is an inspiring female leader. Anna has made, and continues to make, real strides in adjusting the face of engineering so that it is inclusive to all and continues to adopt positive change. Anna leads strong change in a safety critical, operational environment whilst setting the standard leadership.

Gemma Dixon, BAE Systems

Gemma Dixon has held a number of senior management / executive roles across her two decades working in aerospace engineering, in Materials, Manufacturing, and Manufacturing Engineering functions. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IoM3), and a member of its Advisory Council and Awards Committee. She raised over £14k to 3D-print over 4000 masks for key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic and has supported a range of gender diversity activities.

Lewis Copeland, Projex Solutions

Lewis Copeland is a valued member of the Projex Team and demonstrates Projex Solutions values throughout his actions. Lewis is a strong believer in promoting the benefits of equality, diversity and inclusion within engineering which is why he has been chosen for this award. Lewis demonstrates leadership through his positive actions.

Sylvia Lu, u blox

Sylvia is a multi-award-winning engineer and non-executive director, advisor, ambassador and influencer at the forefront of driving cutting-edge technologies to enable digital transformation. She is Guardian’s UK Top 50 Women in Engineering. Sylvia champions diversity & inclusion and STEM from the classroom to the boardroom, from inspiring young girls into STEM, helping students understand future skill requirements, all the way to integrate Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) policy into the boards she serves.

Digital Twin Team, Babcock

Babcock has created bespoke Digital Twin technology. A Digital Twin is a virtual representation of a physical asset which can be used to estimate the health of an asset and detect latent defects. The Digital Twin means engineers are no longer required on-site to perform analysis and improves the availability of critical assets used to defend the nation. Babcock have produced a significant amount of research papers, one of which has been published by NATO.

Warwick Moto, University of Warwick

Warwick Moto, a university-based team building an electric superbike, have become the first team to use immersion cooling on an electric superbike. This innovation, which allows cell performance to be optimised, as heat transfer is more efficient, was achieved through thorough safety testing at the world class WMG, University of Warwick facilities. Benefits include more dense battery pack configurations in electric bikes as well as potential cost and range benefits for commercial electric vehicles.

Culture Hub, Siemens Energy Aeroderivative Gas Turbines

Siemens Aeroderivative Gas Turbines (AGT) in Warwick launched a cultural change programme which is made up of several initiatives focused overall on improving workplace culture, from Inclusion & Diversity, to Characteristics and Behaviors. The programme aims to improve the workplace culture whilst ensuring that the business can attract and retain employees to create new engineering innovations for the future, and to make AGT “the best place to work”.

Employee Resource Group Framework, BAE Systems

Since 2019 BAE Systems has embedded a robust way of measuring the diversity of their population, implemented a new integrated plan which centres around six key themes of inclusion, and launched UK-wide Employee Resource Groups aligned to these themes under a comprehensive Framework. Leaders are actively engaged with the D&I programme, ensuring that the business builds inclusion into everything they do. BAE Systems collaborates regularly with external organisations and shares best practice in the industry.

Handprints e NABLE, University of Glasgow

In the last year Handprints e-NABLE Scotland worked harder than ever before to combat the unprecedented challenges brought by COVID-19. The society has produced fully functioning upper limb prosthetics for recipients internationally, fundraised remotely, 3D printed face shields for UK and Uruguay health workers and taught STEM subjects to schools – a small selection of this year’s achievements. The determination and enthusiasm shown by the members is the backbone of this remarkable society.

Solar Decathlon Society Team ESTEEM, Heriot Watt University

Solar Decathlon Society gathers more than 100 students and constantly invites others to join and learn based on a real-life project. People have a chance to learn about technical details of construction project, negotiation skills, collaboration in a multi-national and multidisciplinary project and sustainable housing. The society constantly enlarges its outreach and impacts more people. Most importantly, ESTEEM creates a hub for collaboration for students and companies and brings real life improvement to construction industry.

Warwick Engineering Society, University of Warwick

Warwick Engineering Society is an all-inclusive, student-run hub for students from all years and disciplines to network, socialise and learn, with the aim to bridge the gap between academic studies and the working environment for our members. With a plethora of networking opportunities, talks, support sessions and partnerships, we continue to innovative to provide the best experience to both our members and the wider engineering community.

Watt Women in STEM Society, Heriot Watt University

Watt Women in STEM are a student-led society making a very positive and visible impact in actively supporting diversity and inclusion within STEM across the university. They are a group passionate about inspiring young people to pursue stem through their outreach program and have created a welcoming culture which has been recognizes by the university. Watt Women connects students with industry and serves as a network to connect female engineering students together.

FAIR, Buro Happold

FAIR stands for Fairness, Awareness, Inclusion, Respect. It is an employee-run initiative which promotes the importance of inclusion and diversity within Buro Happold, championing the needs of all identity groups and raising awareness of issues that face them. The team leverages employee voices to influence leadership decisions. FAIR achieves its goals by running campaigns, events and training courses. The group has been recognised for “embracing the difficult and striving for progress in whatever they do”.

Maritime Services Inspiring Women, BAE Systems

The Maritime Services Inspiring Women network was set up in 2019 in the face of a non-moving gender diversity dial that had lasted for years. The network was founded by women to support women across our business including a number of sites across the UK. Since its launch in late 2019, membership has grown to represent 25% of the female workforce and the team are driving real tangible change across the business.

Pride@Airbus, Airbus

Pride@Airbus is an LGBT+ employee network which has grown on a global level since it was founded in 2017. Pride@Airbus has worked to harmonize HR tools and processes for LGBT+ and non-LGBT+ employees and are passionate about ensuring employees can bring their whole selves to work.

Pride@Airbus has shared their knowledge and experience with other employee networks both within Airbus and outside, helping other groups to grow as they have.

PRISM, Rolls-Royce

Launched in 2015, Prism is the Rolls-Royce LGBT+ employee network. With a strategy aimed at embedding LGBT+ inclusion across the global business and with over 1,000 members supporting them, Prism are delivering real culture change in Rolls-Royce. With collaboration and intersectionality at the heart of everything they do, Prism are known for their work across the Engineering sector as they support others on their own LGBT+ journey. Prism – be yourself, be your best!

Projex Solutions

Projex Solutions are a company who highly value diversity within engineering, the team has been organically grown and selected by the individual’s passion and attitude towards engineering which is why Projex has such a diverse workforce which compromises of a range of cultures and backgrounds. Projex Solutions continue to advance equality, diversity, and inclusion in engineering.

Siemens Mobility Limited

Siemens Mobility Limited have been exemplary in ensuring that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is recognized by candidates and employees. They actively raise awareness through a range of platforms and programmes and support the vision of how the company provide an open and more inclusive environment for all. This is exemplified internally with the support of company and employee led networks to embrace the attitude of ‘bring your whole self to work’.