2022 Winners & Finalists

The winners and finalists of the Engineering Talent Awards 2022 are listed within each category. Each candidate is truly deserving of recognition for their achievements.

Overall Excellence in Engineering 2022
Supported by McLaren Racing

WINNER

Disability and Wellbeing Network (DAWN), Costain Group PLC (Employee network)

The Costain DaWN Network consists of volunteers across the business with a diverse experience of disability and neurodiversity. We are members of the Valuable 500 and achieved Disability Confident Employer status in December 2021. They support people with Downs Syndrome and Autism into work and have presented to Crossrail & HS2 on neurodiversity. They have also initiated cross-industry disability discussions and are currently embedding inclusive design engineering standards into our design process and designer training.

Engineer of the Year 2022
Supported by Rolls-Royce

WINNER

Chrisma Jain, Transport for London

Chrisma Jain is a Chartered Engineer working at Transport for London as a Senior Project Manager delivering signal projects keeping London moving. Chrisma is the chair of FiTE (Females in Transport Engineering), a staff network group within Transport for London that supports women in their career progression in Engineering.  She is Trustee for the Women Engineering Society an IMechE Council Member and also represents Transport for London in the UK Railway PWI Decarbonisation Committee.

SHORTLIST

Amitoj Singh, Balfour Beatty

Amitoj is a strategic leader, board member and an engineer who brings practical solutions to complex issues. He has made significant technical contribution to the industry over the past 17 years, and received several accumulates over this period. He is a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity improvements in the workplace as he resides over several working groups. He believes in developing next generation of engineers and is on the mentorship scheme with several institutions.

SHORTLIST

Cameron Salisbury, AECOM

Cameron is a versatile individual, an all-rounder and key team member with a competitive streak. Cameron is someone who invites challenge and thrives on the collective success of those around him. As an avid bedroom producer, Cameron has always been intrigued by sound. His passion for acoustics started with the discovery of synthesis, exploring the creative opportunities in audio production. Learning and teaching through experimentation and exploration quickly became his signature.

SHORTLIST

Mark Goudie, SP Energy Network

Engineer, inventor, dedicated volunteer and one of the youngest elected engineering Fellows in the history of the UK – Mark has over a decade of experience promoting engineering as a career, mentoring the next generation and supporting widening access programmes. He is passionate about tackling climate change and the energy transition as we move to a Net Zero future, having worked on several world first energy projects, including developing his own energy storage technology.

SHORTLIST

Michelle Green, FJD Consulting

Michelle’s dedication and strong work ethic is admired by all who know her. Achieving Chartered Engineer status, tackling home learning with two children, working full time from home, enrolling onto further education programmes, and achieving amazing results, taking on additional responsibilities at work, and finally her promotion up to Operations Manager in November 2021 have all contributed to her becoming a key team player contributing to our team’s growth over the past few years.

SHORTLIST

Morenike Amiaka, Gore Street Capital

Nike Amiaka is a chartered engineer, a fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and a technical member of IOSH. She is passionate about the career progress and development of engineers at all levels, in particular minority ethnic and female engineers. In the past year, Nike has helped to mentor and develop 25 minority ethnic engineers including females to achieve their career goals be it changing jobs, promotion to a lead role or attaining chartered member status.

Engineering Apprentice of the Year 2022
Supported by Extreme E

WINNER

Nabilah Thagi, Dyson

Nabilah is an incredibly driven individual who has faced some tough personal challenges throughout her life. However, she has never let the adversity prevent her from achieving amazing things in her engineering career and her wider life. She is a role model for ethnic, religious and gender minorities in engineering, and champions diversity through a variety of initiatives.

SHORTLIST

Brer Cornish, EDF Energy

Brer has been EDF’s standout apprentice through the last 4 years of his apprenticeship gaining a number of awards year on year. Having now completed the mechanical maintenance apprenticeship he has been awarded with EDF’s local and fleet technical apprentice award. Brer is always willing to help those around him and promote apprenticeships for the future. He is committed to improving the work environment and maintaining high standards of nuclear safety.

SHORTLIST

Britoni Farrer-Williams, McLaren Racing

Britoni is an engaged and very enthusiastic young woman who continues to grow technically, contributing greatly to the McLaren teams manufacturing successes whilst providing a role model for the next generation of apprentices at McLaren Racing in the modern field of composite manufacturing. Collaborating by supporting and always striving to improve she is a superb asset to our Formula 1 team.

SHORTLIST

Daniel Sanders, WSP

Dan is a driven and dedicated Junior Technician in WSP’s Industry Discipline, providing design support for key clients and projects to an excellent standard. He repeatedly demonstrates a proactive approach to his personal and professional development through self-education on a hot topic and seeking guidance from colleagues on his technical and softer skills. Dan also dedicates time to wellbeing initiatives for the benefit of his colleagues, maximising every opportunity to present to the team.

SHORTLIST

Katie Dennett, Jaguar Land Rover

Katie is a passionate, dedicated and talented individual, who embodies what an apprentice should aspire to. She has spent the last year not just making tangible improvements in the business but also giving over her own time to give talks on the benefits of apprenticeships and diversity within the engineering sector. She has been successful technically, academically and personally during her time on the apprenticeship and has received high praise from everyone she works with.

Engineering Student of the Year 2022
Supported by The Institution of Engineering and Technology

WINNER

Isabelle Pickett, University of Bath

Isabelle is a highly motivated young engineer and role model for young girls. She is predicted a 1st class result in her degree whilst being on the board for Inclusivity at university, mentoring young refugees and running her own academic scholarship for STEM students. Isabelle is currently completing a yearlong placement at AstraZeneca where she is a very welcome addition to the team demonstrating a positive impact already within her first four months.

SHORTLIST

Hoong Hao Yap, Imperial College London

Hoong Hao, who also go by Kenneth, is a penultimate-year Civil Engineer at Imperial College London. He has a passion for geotechnical engineering and aspires to lead the development of sustainable construction. When not pondering about tunnels, Kenneth spends his free time hiking and advocating for accessible education. He is currently a tutor for A-Level Mathematics and Physics for disadvantaged students and sits on the Schools and Universities sub-committee of the British Tunnelling Society YM.

SHORTLIST

Jairis Arleen Alvarez Trujillo, Heriot Watt University

Jairis Alvarez is currently in her last year of Architectural Engineering, she was born in Las cumbres, Panama. She has demonstrated that the best way to share with the world about innovation, creativity and sustainability is to communicate as much as possible. Moreover, she always challenges herself and support others whenever they need to.

SHORTLIST

Kaitlyn Rodger, University of Glasgow

Kaitlyn is a 3rd year Aeronautical Engineering student at the University of Glasgow. Alongside her degree she is project manager for ‘FemEng in Kenya’, a pioneering student project led by the University of Glasgow’s female engineers and the University of Nairobi working to encourage more women into STEM. As well as working part-time at a leading aerospace consultancy, Inter-Tec Services, delivering aircraft and rotorcraft design, stress engineering and certification services to the global market.

SHORTLIST

Nyasha Mutembwa, University of Dundee

Nyasha is an enthusiastic civil engineering student at the University of Dundee dedicated to honing her theoretical, practical and digital skills in determination of becoming a future engineering specialist and project manager. Her personal drive and Zimbabwean upbringing is individualistic and so prevalent in her focus that she continuously aims to fill the extra time away from university studies and extra-curricular activities; grasping opportunities, experiences and professional outlooks, as well as connections to further her knowledge.

Engineering Graduate of the Year 2022
Supported by Airbus

WINNER

Jennifer Natalie Glover, AECOM

Jennifer is an outstanding Graduate, at AECOM, she immediately established a strong reputation as an acoustic consultant and leads the Awards Group.  She actively promotes engineering, as a Director’s Committee member of the Women’s Engineering Society, and STEM Ambassador. Everything achieved to date and the promise of her future impact in our industry, makes Jennifer an engineering role model.

SHORTLIST

Axel Gossart, Xylem

Axel is a unique graduate engineer who has emerged from a minority low-income immigrant background. He holds an infectious passion for empowering people, effective collaboration and creating sustainable world class water solutions. Axel hasn’t only adapted to a new culture and language but has also driven growth in an international multi-billion pounds corporation. Axel is an example of our modern engineering industry, and the potential held in this new generation.

SHORTLIST

Jess Cliff, EDF Energy

After completing her Master’s degree in Physics, Jess has developed rapidly in her early career to become a Criticality Safety Expert within EDF, supporting the existing nuclear fleet and the production of the criticality safety case for Hinkley Point C. She is an excellent communicator and a strong focus on self-development. Jess is a champion for diversity and inclusion in the business and wider society, chairing the local branch of the EDF Women’s Network.

SHORTLIST

Lorena Souza, Siemens Process Systems Engineering (SPSE)

Lorena Souza is a consultant engineer at Siemens PSE where she is responsible for the development and deployment of digital application projects. From a modest background in Brazil, she completed her education with a PhD from Imperial College. She actively promotes engineering as a career by volunteering for different causes, including participating in ‘Year of Engineering’ at the Science Museum and her YouTube channel. She is also involved in charity fundraisers to promote women’s education.

SHORTLIST

Michelle Watiki, Rolls-Royce

Michelle is a passionate graduate engineer who has excelled academically and professionally, both within and beyond her original field of engineering. She has proven to be a champion of diversity and inclusion in industry through self-led initiatives and appointment as board member within EDT and AFBE. Furthermore, she is proactively engaged in STEM outreach as a qualified STEM ambassador and sits as chair of her local Apprentice and Graduate Association within Rolls-Royce.

SHORTLIST

Nour Badenjki, Subsea 7

Nour is a very motivated and inspirational young engineer who continuously challenged the normal working ways. Nour is a champion of Diversity and Inclusion initiative within Subsea 7 looks at every opportunity to promote STEM subjects through her involvement in outreach programmes covering primary and secondary schools.

Engineering Returner of the Year 2022
Supported by Royal Academy of Engineering

WINNER

Katie Ireland, Ørsted

Katie managed to successfully return to a professional geoscience career after a lengthy break while at the same time transitioning from oil and gas to the renewable sector during the global pandemic. During this time, she faced many challenges including her own imposter syndrome but is now more confident and excited to learn more. Her main goal now is to excel in her new career and to communicate and aid others in their engineering journeys.

SHORTLIST

Amanda Harvey, SSEN Transmission

When Amanda returned to work after a four-year career break, she not only did this remotely but switched industry from Oil and Gas to Electricity Transmission.  Amanda had a wide and varied career in Oil and Gas, with roles ranging from office-based Business Strategy Analyst to Offshore Production Engineer, resulting in particularly good networking skills.  These skills allowed Amanda to quickly build relationships and exert influence in her area of expertise.

SHORTLIST

Jenne Blake, SCS Railways

Jenne has up to now led an interesting work life, she has worked on the Crossrail site as an adult apprentice on a TBM site in 2012, these were at Canning town and Pudding Mill Lane. After that she worked for an organisation called women into construction, this was based at the Crossrail headquarters where she helped so many women fulfil their potential into construction jobs. Jenne qualified as gold card electrician in 2016, worked as an electrician full time in 2017 on many of the Crossrail sites around London. Jenne has journeyed full circle and has come back to working on a TBM site once again and this time it is for HS2, we need more women in this field as well as a more diversity to make our industry inclusive and thriving.

Executive Leader of the Year 2022
Supported by STEM Returners

WINNER

Maria Papadopoulou, Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB)

A leading advocate for change within not just her own organisation but the wider industry it represents Maria is a supportive, driven and engaging role model whose example continues to pave a way ahead for those daring enough to follow.  A culmination of ambition, talent, drive and professional energy, Maria is testament to the importance of representation and the successes it can bring to the wider world.

SHORTLIST

Kelly Rose Paul, Air Products

Kelly Paul is a Core Projects Team Lead at Air Products and has worked for the company for more than 15 years. Kelly has gained significant engineering, project and people management experience throughout her career so far and led Air Products’ engineering response to the pandemic to ensure hospital customers remained operational throughout. She was named as one of the top 50 women in engineering by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) in 2021.

SHORTLIST

Lee Timbrell, Vision Labs

Lee is an authentic leader who uses personal experience to provide a culture of great leadership, open communication, continuous personal development, great collaborative teamwork and absolute trust and respect across the businesses and teams he leads. A role model, not only of the company’s values and behaviours but of his own fully aligned beliefs. A 30-year career filled with challenging experiences and a track record of successful business and people accomplishments.

SHORTLIST

Paul Shields, AECOM

Paul is an outstanding leader who uses his executive position to promote equality in his team and fosters a positive, open environment in which all are welcome and able to flourish. Leading by example he co-created an acoustic home-schooling guide; led the development of the apprenticeship scheme for the Institute of Acoustics and Association of Noise Consultants and supports the ambitions of his team both in engineering and social value.

Innovation of the Year 2022
Supported by Network Rail

WINNER

Disruptive critical pedagogy to centre social justice in engineering, Swansea University Department of General Engineering

The Sustainable Engineering Management for International Development MSc at Swansea University has combined insights and tools from both the social sciences and engineering, and helps engineering students better center justice in their decision making. Through education and reflection on how social structures of power oppress minoritized groups, engineering students gain agency and awareness to resist unjust ideologies in whichever workplace they find themselves, and be agents for change in non-inclusive environments.

SHORTLIST

Signal processing and AI for an enhanced clinical decision support platform, Nsugbe Research Lab(NRL)

This submission is based on the application of a signal processing and AI for an enhanced clinical decision support platform to forecast preterm births in pregnant patients alongside an associated labour timeframe using uterine contraction signals. The project showcases an innovative application of AI and ML towards contributing to tackling a trendy world epidemic which is prevalent in both low and high income countries.

SHORTLIST

The carbon assessment tool, FJD Consulting

In an effort to provide their partners with an efficient visual representation of the most carbon-friendly options available for the assets required within a rail project, FJD Consulting have developed an efficient and highly visual Carbon Assessment Tool that complies with the latest industry guidance regarding carbon reduction.

SHORTLIST

Clean Pig™, Innovolo Ltd

This fully size adjustable machine is capable of saving multi-billions litres of potable water used for flushing, cleaning and pressure testing while saving circa GBP £40m on the client’s project. After each 16m section is laid, Clean Pig™ automatically clear installation debris, clean the pipe walls without scratching, locate joints and test to 16 bar, UV sterilise every section and leave ready for consumer service. Clean Pig™ can also be configured for gas and oil pipelines with automatic joint pressure testing.

SHORTLIST

Modularization of electrical containment, MEH Alliance

This is MEH’s first electrical modularization approach and the teams behind this achievement went above and beyond to deliver this milestone, all pushing barriers and finding solutions to deliver the packages at a high-quality standard, on time and on budget.

Inclusion Programme of the Year 2022
Supported by ECITB

WINNER

Talent Acquisition Programme, Rolls-Royce

The biggest misperception Rolls-Royce has is that only certain demographics or graduates get hired. But throughout 2020-2021, the Rolls-Royce Talent Acquisition team reinvented how it engages with more diverse talent – taking student attraction and selection entirely virtual. By reallocating advertising spend towards social media, online events or digital content and redesigning entry programmes to make them more accessible, they’ve opened doors for students who might not have considered working for this famous British brand.

SHORTLIST

SSE Inclusion & Diversity Programme, SSE

SSE’s Programme of work highlights examples of the actions taken to increase diversity IN, ON & UP at SSE and how this in turn has increased its financial return for every £1 invested in diversity to £11.05: an increase from £4.52 return in 2017. The programme showcases how focusing on 4 key pillars of work has brought about change; Being clear on Ambitions, Providing Education & Development, Ensuring Inclusive processes and listening to Employee Voice.

SHORTLIST

Myriad, Wood PLC

Wood is an engineering and consultancy business that is on a mission to solve the world’s most critical challenges. To achieve this, it needs the best people on the team, and this means ensuring diversity of thought and a sense of belonging across its global community.  Wood is committed to moving the dial on Inclusion and Diversity, driving education, empathy and engagement into every level of the business.

Engineering Society of the Year 2022
Supported by BAE Systems

WINNER

FemEng, University of Glasgow

FemEng is a group of female engineering students at the University of Glasgow who have been working hard to empower women in engineering. Through their many events ranging from socials and discussion panels to outreach programmes across the UK and Africa, they have reached a huge number of both potential and current female engineers and are working to bridge the gender gap that is in engineering.

SHORTLIST

Bristol CivSoc, University of Bristol

Bristol CivSoc is an inclusive society that enhances its members social and academic experiences through a plethora of events and opportunities. They have adapted to COVID-19 exceptionally through providing excellent support for their members, increasing their collaborative projects, including founding CivSoc collaborative and maintaining their strong community values both within the society and beyond the student body.

SHORTLIST

HWU Robotics Society, Heriot Watt University

With over 60 members, fun projects and a passion for robots, the Robotics Society has become the place to be for STEM students. Heriot-Watt is a leading university for robotics and AI research and education, and the Robotics Society is committed to offering a space where robotics enthusiasts can connect with peers, share ideas and build robots together!

SHORTLIST

Women in STEM Society, University of Dundee

The Women in STEM society at the University of Dundee has built an empowering presence on campus. They provide a mix of professional and social opportunities from industry mentorship to social events. This society brings students across all engineering courses together to form meaningful connections, create support networks, and thrive in their chosen field. The society aims to inspire the next generation into engineering fields by engaging with schools and actively celebrating diversity.

Employee Network of the Year 2022
Supported by Heathrow

WINNER

Disability and Wellbeing Network (DAWN), Costain Group PLC

The Costain DaWN Network consists of volunteers across the business with a diverse experience of disability and neurodiversity. We are members of the Valuable 500 and achieved Disability Confident Employer status in December 2021. They support people with Downs Syndrome and Autism into work and have presented to Crossrail & HS2 on neurodiversity. They have also initiated cross-industry disability discussions and are currently embedding inclusive design engineering standards into our design process and designer training.

SHORTLIST

Ability@BAM, BAM Nuttall Ltd

Ability@BAM is one of BAM Nuttall four employee networks which supports, advocates for and strives to enhance the experiences of those who are disabled and/or neurodiverse. The network is peer-led by four voluntary ambassadors whom all have lived experiences of disability and/or neurodiversity. Ability@BAM has the highest number of members across all of the people networks at BAM and, like the other networks, they welcome allies and supporters.

SHORTLIST

Ambition Network, Siemens

Siemens recognize that creating an inclusive workplace is not a top-down initiative, but instead reliant on employees at all levels getting involved to make a difference. The AMBITION network aims to build greater awareness of disability, both visible and non-visible; and to give individuals who have a disability or long-term illness the confidence to be themselves at work and to create an adaptable and supportive work environment.

SHORTLIST

Females in Transport Engineering (FiTE), Transport for London

The committee was formed to provide females working within engineering a place to network. The aim of the FiTE SNG is based around four pillars; Network, Share Knowledge, Outreach & Challenge and Champion. The FiTE SNG is committed to raising awareness of topics that affect all colleagues that work at Transport for London. They communicate with many different Staff Network Groups to ensure inclusion is at the heart of their vision.

Small-Medium Enterprise of the Year 2022
Supported by BAE Systems

WINNER

FJD Consulting

FJD Consulting is an SME operating largely within the rail sector and employing 35 people across two locations.  The business signed up to the EDI charter and works with employees from all backgrounds, nationalities and cultures, having 25.7% women, 22.9% ethnic minority, 5.7% disabled and an age range between 18 and 60.  The business supports all staff in their role regardless of status and this is shown throughout the employment lifecycle from recruitment to retention

SHORTLIST

IGNYS Ltd

Ignys, the electronics design & software development consultancy, believe in innovation with a heart and a Mutual Wins culture. As one of the most vibrant and energetic electronics firms in the UK, Ignys supports projects that make a positive impact on the environment, people and animals. They bring great tech ideas to life. A progressive organisation, they foster diversity in the engineering sector, with women comprising 50% of the management team, whilst also investing in mental health development for staff.

SHORTLIST

Intelect

Intelect are an engineering company based in the North East of England. They provide electrical and mechanical solutions to clients across process industries, and this year they celebrate their 25th anniversary. Their employees sit at the heart of their business, and their award-winning apprenticeship programme is like no other in their industry. Intelect are also committed to supporting their local community and continue to advocate the opportunities the engineering sector has to offer.

SHORTLIST

STS Defence

STS Defence is a UK based technology and engineering company, specialising in mission-critical communications, electronics and intelligent systems. With an adaptable approach to design, engineering and manufacturing, STS Defence has a passionate belief and commitment to quality and empowers their staff and teams to be accountable and responsible to complete the job to the best level of quality, time and cost.

Large Employer of the Year 2022
Supported by Recite Me

WINNER

Siemens UK

Siemens strive to transform the everyday for the societies they serve. To commit to this transformation means to commit to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. They foster a spirit of belonging through a range of platforms and programmes that empower their people to find untapped opportunities for growth – and provide an open, more inclusive environment for all.

SHORTLIST

Atkins

Atkins, a member of the SNC Lavalin Group, is committed to create and maintain an inclusive culture where everyone can be their true self and reach their full potential. With the launch of their new ED&I strategy “Different Makes a Difference” they have been implementing a wide range of initiatives to do more as an organisation. They currently hold Gold standard on Clear Assured Accreditation.

SHORTLIST

Rolls-Royce

At Rolls-Royce, we understand the importance of ensuring everyone can be at their best. And this is at the heart of what we do – pioneering inclusion throughout our business to help empower our people. Whether it’s by being a Stonewall Top 100 Employer or a Star Employer for Investing in Ethnicity, we show that we care. We’re breaking barriers, erasing misperceptions, and doing what we all need to do – showcasing Engineering as being for everyone.

Special Recognition Award 2022

WINNER

Daniella Alves De Sousa Reis, Heathrow

Daniella Alves De Sousa Reis a Chartered Mechanical Engineer returned to work in the UK after leaving Brazil and taking some time to raise her two wonderful children. She has excelled technically in the Mechanical generation world and has subsequently dived headfirst into supporting and leading many women in engineering activities, creating new networks and engaging those outside the engineering world to highlight the fantastic work women in engineering lead on.”

WINNER

Tina Haden-Williams, First Bus

The people at First Bus are what’s crucial to our business and having great people like Tina are what keep teams motivated, encourage others and quite literally keep the wheels on the buses and communities connected. First Bus are very proud of Tina’s achievements in the face of adversity and the part she plays in making First a better Bus Company.