The winners and finalists of the Engineering Talent Awards 2023 are listed within each category. Each candidate is truly deserving of recognition for their achievements.
2023 Winners & Finalists
WINNER

Samiksha Raviraja, University of Leicester
Sam is a great role model to young girls from diverse backgrounds who face struggles in pursuing their dreams and don’t believe in themselves. Sam is living-proof that anything is truly possible if you just believe in yourself, persevere and use your obstacles to fuel that star in you to burn brighter and brighter.
WINNER

Anthony Buckley, Rolls-Royce SMR
Anthony has been part of Rolls-Royce SMR since the formation of the company and has recently been promoted from a verification engineer to structured verification lead, shortly before becoming chartered with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Anthony leads the adoption of robust systems engineering techniques for verification to nuclear regulators, in addition to being a point of contact as a ‘Let’s Talk’ representative, which enables employees to promote their voice to leadership for change.
SHORTLIST

Dr. Edris Joonaki, TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory
Dr. Edris Joonaki, as a young talented engineer, is Technical Lead of variety of UK Government/Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT)-Funded projects worth more than £2m.
SHORTLIST

Martin Griffin, Knight Piésold
Martin mentors juniors towards Chartership. He delivers EDI talks with passion, knowledge and lived experience, to diverse groups from work colleagues to external organisations. He has written LinkedIn blogs, several Ground Engineering articles and an EDI Engineering Toolkit. He can be heard on podcasts and recognised as a national Role Model In GeoScience. Finally, Martin is a Geological Society Council Member, Chairperson of IOM3’s Ably Different, STEM Ambassador, former Ground Forum mentor for underrepresented groups.
WINNER

Aimee Jones, Mott MacDonald
Aimee works for Mott MacDonald in the Water Consultancy Division, in the Dams Rivers and Geotech Team. She has worked on a wide variety of projects, developing technical skills, and demonstrating excellence in the Rivers Team. She has regularly shown enthusiasm and passion about sustainability and improving the world around her.
SHORTLIST

Lauren Helena Poole, Jaguar Land Rover
Lauren is due to finish her Degree Apprenticeship this summer having made a business impact whilst still at the early stages of her career. She has written and implemented new processes as part of business transformation and she has fought back against adversity and spoken publicly about becoming a mother whilst on her degree scheme. The future is bright for Lauren as she continues to strive for success.
SHORTLIST

Nabilah Thagia, Dyson
Nabilah’s goal has always been to be a high-performing individual, and her apprenticeship journey has been no different. Her achievements are many, and alongside this she has been involved in giving back to the wider community, through outreach, diversity initiatives in the workplace, and mentoring.
SHORTLIST

Oliver Sands, JCB
Oliver is a 4th year Engineering Degree Apprentice at JCB. Having recently been selected to work as an Executive Support his day-to-day role involves working directly with JCBs Excavator Executive and Senior Management team on building and executing strategic initiatives supporting the next generation of engineering innovations. He is a keen ambassador for apprenticeships of all kinds and actively promotes the advantages of an alternative route to further education.
SHORTLIST

Robert Spencer, Rolls-Royce Submarines
Robbie has been an advocate for apprenticeships, engineering and the nuclear industry as a whole. He has shone as both an engineer and role model for his peers to aspire to. Robbie goes out of his way to ensure that engineering apprenticeships are a key path to becoming a professional engineer for people from all backgrounds. He has demonstrated this through his excellent university grades and the fantastic work he’s done in his placements.
SHORTLIST

Samuel Douglas, Energus
Sam is a worthy nominee for Apprentice of the Year Award. Currently undertaking his Degree Apprenticeship, Sam has excelled in many projects and contributed positively to the promotion of the industry and Apprenticeships within the community, during a challenging period within his personal life. Sam is a positive, enthusiastic and committed Apprentice putting 100% effort into everything, both in his practical placement and college studies, recently winning a National College for Nuclear Endeavour Award 2022.
WINNER

Samiksha Raviraja, University of Leicester
Sam is a great role model to young girls from diverse backgrounds who face struggles in pursuing their dreams and don’t believe in themselves. Sam is living-proof that anything is truly possible if you just believe in yourself, persevere and use your obstacles to fuel that star in you to burn brighter and brighter.
SHORTLIST

Elish Chambers, Lancaster University
Elish is a final year Chemical Engineering student at Lancaster University, predicted a 1st class result in her degree. She is passionate about encouraging young women into STEM and co-founded the Women’s Engineering Society at Lancaster to provide a supportive community for current students. Elish has continually sought out opportunities for development, successfully completing industrial placements at GSK and AstraZeneca. Elish has also achieved her EngTech registration with IChemE, recognising her contribution to the profession.
SHORTLIST

Jakub Zemek, University of Manchester
Mastering two foreign languages, Jakub dared to leave his country and pursue his dreams at The University of Manchester, where he maintains 1st class grade. Jakub has proven his academic excellence in multiple prestigious competitions and inspires others through volunteering.
Jakub underwent PoSSUM astronaut training, worked over a year in the aerospace industry, and was selected for training courses by the European Space Agency. Today, Jakub is the CEO of a drone start-up.
SHORTLIST

John Mosuela, University of Sheffield
John is a current Civil Engineering student at the University of Sheffield who has worked with young people across South Yorkshire to widen participation in Higher Education, equip them with skills to succeed in school and give them confidence to pursue a career in STEM. As the Careers Officer of Sheffield PLAN, he has organised events to build the confidence of LGBT+ students and collaborated with organisations to embed inclusive values in the workplace.
SHORTLIST

Nyasha Mutembwa, University of Dundee
Nyasha was elected as the First Black Female President of Dundee University Students’ Association in March 2022. She is an engineering graduate and oversees over 19000+ students, as the lead of DUSA’s Executive Committee. She is responsible for ensuring that the voices of students are represented and influence the overall student experience; as she sits on several Executive level Boards and committees within the University and the Association to make sure every decision is inclusive.
WINNER

Chra Hussain Abdoulqadir, Indra Renewable Technologies Limited
Chra has just completed her role as a Junior Software. She has taken responsibility for developing multiple software projects with more than 100 features each. She has conducted requirements specifications, discussions with stakeholders, design and prototyping, development of back-end, front-end, and database structures, security management, testing, documentation, deployment, stakeholder feedback, and maintenance for her projects. Despite no family support she has managed to be the top. She is an example of passion and perseverance.
SHORTLIST

Eleanor Piper, Rolls-Royce SMR
Eleanor is a passionate STEM and Inclusion Ambassador who, despite the challenges of Covid and GBR Olympic Archery Squad commitments, made an impact from the start. Working remotely with Sellafield she joined Rolls-Royce Submarines before moving to Rolls-Royce SMRs to head a multidisciplinary team launching material test programmes. Eleanor demonstrates that it is possible to excel at the highest academic, professional and sporting levels whilst inspiring the next generation to follow in her footsteps.
SHORTLIST

Aysh Yapa, Airbus
Aysh Yapa is a Systems Engineering Graduate at Airbus. Her passions include inspiring the next generation of female engineers, and fighting the stigma around mental health. She recently published a paper at the International Conference on Lightning and Static Electricity in Madrid, Spain. Alongside her technical responsibilities, she is also part of the Airbus Filton Learning Hub Leadership Team which organises and resources STEM and outreach activities in schools and universities.
SHORTLIST

Greta Atkoceviciute, Wessex Water
Greta is an exemplary engineer at Wessex Water who’s personality is hard-working, keen to learn, and prove herself competent to take on responsibility beyond average expectation for a graduate engineer. Always determined to improve, learn, and provide high-quality outputs that are risk and cost resilient, and focus on the impact on the environment and customers.
SHORTLIST

Peter Mahir Hekmat Marji, Arup
A creative graduate power systems engineer at ARUP. Peter loves challenging engineering problems, he excelled through developing niche skill sets and is now the discipline lead for the project he is working on. Peter finds true fulfilment in taking students on a journey of what it is like to be an engineer with activities he designs based on his work. He reached a wide diverse group through the IET and continues to share his passion.
SHORTLIST

Tom Webster, UKAEA
Tom’s positive, can do attitude is to grab every opportunity. A graduate in the fast-paced world of Fusion, he brings enthusiasm to every challenge. In hydrogen research, his software skills contribute innovation to system engineering. Volunteering with our outreach team, he communicates our clean energy mission to the public. Committed to giving back to others, he is creating exciting and welcoming opportunities to encourage the next generation of potential fusion engineers to join us.
WINNER

Rebecca McFadden, Deimos Space UK
Following a career-break for personal and health reasons, Rebecca completed a Daphne Jackson Fellowship in the Machine Learning Group at the University of Oxford. She was recently promoted to Head of the Deimos UK Space Safety Team, where she is responsible for the development of space safety products for the UK and European Space Agencies. She hopes to provide inspiration to young engineers that it is possible to pursue both your personal and professional goals.
SHORTLIST

Ederson Dias da Silva, Airbus
Ederson Dias da Silva is being nominated for being part of a group of people who deserve attention, not for being disabled, but for showing how people with certain disabilities can have a normal life like anyone else, they can be capable and efficient people and professionals, people with special needs same chances and opportunities, this nomination just goes to show that Ederson, with his experience, added a lot of value to the company.
SHORTLIST

Emma Hellawell, LEAP Environmental
Emma is a chartered civil engineer, specialising in sustainable brownfield development. She had a non-linear career in consultancy, academia and local government. Emma returned to engineering through a Daphne Jackson Fellowship investigating brownfield asbestos. Responding to the net-zero challenge, she then focused her work on developing a carbon reduction design tool (CReDiT) for brownfield remediation. She is now developing and applying more civil engineering carbon tools in a new role at LEAP Environmental.
SHORTLIST

Emmanuel Anonas, Cubic Transportation Systems
Emmanuel Anonas a passionate individual who is skilled in technology. Having worked as a senior technical consultant in Finastra Philippines and a former test automation team lead in Accenture Philippines, Emmanuel faced initial challenges when applying for roles in the UK. However, his persistence and determination to find the right opportunity led him to approach STEM Returners. The program’s support and coaching helped him secure a SDET position and boost his confidence and skillset.
SHORTLIST

Laryssa Amado, OWC
Laryssa has successfully transitioned from railroad engineering & protection/automation roles in her native Brazil even through with barriers in Brazilian graduate admission and UK immigration policies to undertake a MSc in Renewable Energy at Brunel University in 2005. Now with OWC as key team member as Electrical Consultant she is heavily involved in the holistic design in offshore windfarms working actively in projects in Baltic States, APAC & Europe with tasks such as cost modelling and substation layout/dimensioning.
SHORTLIST

Philippa Hart, Safran
After a six year career break from Industry looking after her young family and in parallel set up her own Business from home, Philippa joined Safran Seats under the STEM Returners Scheme as a Programme Manager on a 3 month trial basis.
Within 3 weeks of being in position, Pippa was made Programme Manager for the Air India awarded a permanent contract with Safran Seat GB with 2 month of her 3 moth trial period.
WINNER

Amitoj Singh, Ethical Power Connections Limited
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 18 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

Neil Firth, Airbus
Neil has been the driving force to many engineers in the business and is constantly coaching people to achieve, However, he is very humble in his approach even though he has been key to the success. He has a huge number of mentees across the business and will always provide support to anyone who asks. Although he is an executive leader with superb technical knowledge, his greatest strength is his ability to help others succeed.
SHORTLIST

Peter Mountney, Odin Vision
Peter Mountney is a leading example of how applying yourself to all aspects of a company are fundamental to success. He welcomes diversity, ensuring that employees are well supported by applying initiatives to encourage an inclusive workplace where everyone can work to the best of their ability. Peter has always given back to the community by presenting the journey of his start-up at different conferences to help inspire students to pursue a career in engineering.
WINNER

Powered by Tacilia, UCL Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub
Tacilia started from the applied problem of how to enable children who are blind or have partial sight to be better able to engage with Science Technology Engineering Arts and Maths (STEAM) education. By investigating the problems faced in the classroom the need for a multiline, reconfigurable tactile interface was developed to help children read books, explore shapes, to design and to learn to make sense of graphs, charts and other (normally) visual information.
SHORTLIST

EMC Engineering Group Ltd
Razvan Savutiu , the founder of EMC Engineering Group is contributing to a greener planet, by developing innovative, affordable instruments used in predictive, preventive , proactive maintenance, reliability that contributes in reducing CO2, production downtime, reducing energy consumption whilst increasing efficiency, productivity, and sustain an affordable transition that integrates digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and automation for a smooth production whilst creating environmentally friendly equipment.
SHORTLIST

Error-free 3D printing to save costs and protect the environment, Donaa Limited
Donaa is leveraging materials engineering and computer vision algorithms to unlock the power of 3D printing and help engineers push the boundaries of what is possible, while driving sustainable growth within our society. Our diverse team continuously enhances our knowledge base and partners with organisations that promote underrepresented groups to inspire innovation in an inclusive way.
SHORTLIST

Fathom-Global 3.0 – a fundamental change in our global view of flood risk
Fathom-Global 3.0 is a global flood map that draws on extensive peer-reviewed academic research and scientific data sources to simulate the behaviour of water across rainfall, coastal and rivers flood perils. It is the most robust and comprehensive global flood map in the world, and enables users to quantify and mitigate flood risk, by highlighting risk variability under future climate scenarios – unprecedented across industry and academia.
SHORTLIST

Innovation by Integration – Integrated Process Module
The goal for the Baker Hughes New Product Introduction team was to design a product where the positives greatly outweighed the negatives, redefining how the industry perceives a Flow Control Module – What was achieved was a disruptive 70% reduction in weight and footprint based on legacy products, with more than 50% reduction in part-count and cost while supplying the exact same functionality based on previously supplied Flow Control Modules.
SHORTLIST

Porotech
Porotech utilises its core PoroGaN® platform technology and global supply chain to deliver next generation microLED technologies into applications from AR glasses to video walls. The PoroGaN® platform enables Porotech to produce both high colour purity monochrome microLED technology and multi/full colour displays based on its ground-breaking DynamicPixelTuning® (DPT™) technology.
WINNER

UCL & BADU “Bridging The Gap” programme
The UCL & BADU “Bridging The Gap” programme, is a holistic wrap-around support STEM programme for Black and Global Majority children and young people. A partnership approach between university and local communities, incorporating expert support, knowledge sharing, community perspectives, young people’s voices, and local culture. Working together to implement strategies and establish practices that enable young people to be seen, valued, supported, and empowered to thrive, learn, and achieve through their personal and professional journeys.
SHORTLIST

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering Module
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering module run by the Mechanical Engineering Department at Imperial College London is pioneering EDI modules in UK engineering teaching. Students undertaking the module will learn about and engage with equality, diversity and inclusion in the context of global society and within the engineering industry. Students will also apply this knowledge to create and plan initiatives, gaining an understanding of being an EDI champion and improving interpersonal skills.
SHORTLIST

Everyone Belongs – Culture, Inclusion and Diversity at Wessex Water
People are at the heart of everything Wessex Water does and their people are passionate about sustainability and the environment. They constantly drive innovation and improvements for their customers and they know that having a diverse workforce enhances that innovation. That’s why they dedicate time and resources into their programme from executive sponsorship to a bottom up driven programme…. developed by their people, for their people.
SHORTLIST

Grid for Good, National Grid
In order to thrive at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future, National Grid embeds inclusivity into every facet of its culture. Its flagship ‘Grid for Good’ programme supports young people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, providing education and employment opportunities designed to help the young people of today become the energy problem-solvers of tomorrow. This is supported by inclusivity initiatives designed to inspire and engage both employees, and the wider energy industry.
SHORTLIST

Jacobs / upReach Engineering Springboard Programme
United by a shared vision of building a more inclusive UK engineering industry, upReach and Jacobs launched the upReach Engineering Springboard programme. The programme offers intensive and highly-personalised careers support for 60 undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and is designed to help students to secure competitive work experience in the engineering sector. 63% of these students have already secured offers for work experience, internship, placement and/or graduate roles, with 128 applications still ongoing.
SHORTLIST

Morson Maker Space, Engineering Summer School, part of the Morson STEM Foundation
IGNITION was a three-day bespoke engineering summer school designed and delivered by the Morson Maker Space at the University of Salford. Providing an active learning environment for young people from local underrepresented groups, especially young white men, the summer school provided a unique opportunity for participants to experience campus life, explore STEM skills and future engineering careers in conjunction with their industry partner Morson Group, and the university’s outreach and Salford Racing Formula Student teams.
WINNER

Cambridge University Robotics Society
Cambridge University Robotics Society aims to make robotics accessible for all, through events and projects for members as well as the wider community. They have worked hard over the last year to help develop the skills of members who may have little prior experience of robotics.
SHORTLIST

Aerospace Society at the University of Liverpool
The Aerospace Engineering Society at the University of Liverpool is a student-led group that aims to provide an enriching student experience with opportunities for members to engage with industry and build professional connections. With a focus on diversity within the committee itself, the society has created a welcoming group where underrepresented members can contribute to decision-making processes. The society’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment has created a lasting impact on the university and community.
SHORTLIST

Engineers Without Borders Glasgow
EWB Glasgow has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to promoting sustainability, social justice, and diversity and inclusion in engineering. Their innovative events and projects have created a positive impact on campus and in the wider community, and have provided opportunities for students to engage in meaningful and impactful activities outside of the lecture. With their focus on making a lasting difference, EWB Glasgow has truly created a lasting effect on our members and beyond.
SHORTLIST

FemEng: Empowering Women in Engineering
FemEng: Empowering Women in Engineering is a female led student society at the University of Glasgow which provides members the opportunity to develop skills and industry connections which will benefit them in their future careers. We also work hard to reach and inspire the next generation of female engineers through volunteering in the local community. Our International projects in Africa aim to further increase awareness of STEM.
SHORTLIST

Handprints e-NABLE Scotland
Handprints e-NABLE Scotland is a student-led, non-profit society at the University of Glasgow which strives to inspire future generations of engineers through engagement with stimulating workshops, panel talks and design projects in 3D printed prostheses, assistive devices and myoelectric prostheses . They provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills in CAD, 3D printing, design project management and ultimately change a prosthetic recipient’s life for the better.
SHORTLIST

UCL Engineering Society
The UCL Engineering Society (UCLES) is a community many students call home and is the largest STEM society on campus. The society regularly hosts careers and social events for its constituent members to help support personal development and provide a means of connecting with students across other engineering disciplines. The UCLES-led Engineering Coalition strives to create a platform for students across all backgrounds to have a platform to develop their careers through interdisciplinary events.
WINNER

Jacobs ACE Network
ACE (Access Connect Empower) is the youngest Jacobs Employee Network, established in 2019. We drive inclusion of people with a disability, neurodiversity and/or caring requirement. Our focus is recruitment and retention, psychological safety and collaboration with clients/ charities. Executive Sponsorship ensures accountability of our Leaders; as a catalyst for change. We are extremely proud of members feedback; “When I think about why I stay at Jacobs- the ACE Employee Network immediately comes to mind.”
SHORTLIST

Disabilities Forum at Foster + Partners
The Disabilities Forum is a group of 15 members from Foster and Partners who nurture, drive and champion the removing of barriers to physical and mental equality – both within the organisation and the spaces we create. The forum has made a significant impact on inclusion within the organisation and is dedicated to supporting positive mental health and wellbeing.
The Disabilities Forum supports knowledge sharing and learning new skills through presentations, seminars, and resources.
SHORTLIST

OutLink, BAE Systems
OutLinkUK is an LGBTQ+ employee network which has grown year on year since its launch in 2015. It’s the largest and longest running network in BAE Systems and has formed the template by which other employee networks run. OutLinkUK not only support their own staff on LGBTQ+ related issues, they have passed on their expertise to other networks in the engineering industry. They support LGBTQ+ people in local areas by sponsoring prides and other events.
WINNER

OFR Consultants
OFR Consultants, an independent fire engineering consultancy, has deservedly become the UK’s leading fire risk consultancy.
Since 2016, it has grown to become a multi-million turnover consultancy with a team of over 115 colleagues. Central to its success is its people-focussed culture; OFR is committed to maintaining a brilliant working environment through a culture that attracts a diverse range of colleagues, where everyone can thrive and where positive mental health and wellbeing is prioritised
SHORTLIST

Black Hills Products
Black Hills Products are a small, family run Engineering/Manufacturing business supplying solutions based engineering to the energy, offshore and renewables sectors.
The multigenerational team are huge advocates of equality, diversity and inclusion within the workplace and strive to maintain their commitments towards this in their recruitment, when dealing with customers and suppliers. Positive Mental Health in the workplace also forms part of their ethos and trained Mental Health First Aiders champion this cause daily.
SHORTLIST

Civic Engineers
Civic Engineers are a civil, structural and transport engineering practice focused on having a positive impact on the environment and enabling people to lead happier, healthier lives.
Establishing an inclusive culture that celebrates the importance of individuality and creating policies that put people and purpose first, they work collectively to ensure a workplace and environment that helps people excel as their authentic selves.
SHORTLIST

Odin Vision
Odin Vision is a leading example of how a company encapsulates equality, diversity and inclusion in order to drive their company forward and reach their milestones. Each member of their leadership team makes an active effort to ensure employees are fully supported in the workplace, implementing initiatives to ensure this. They welcome diversity and believe this has been key to creating a powerful team who motivate one another to excel in their field.
SHORTLIST

Scitech Engineering Limited
Scitech is committed to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion in engineering and is leading by example through the introduction of its D&I mission statement and action plan. Through innovative initiatives such as the ‘Tea for Three’ scheme, it is fostering an inclusive culture, while recruitment, retention and outreach initiatives are aimed at attracting a diverse workforce. It has a comprehensive wellbeing strategy which has a focus on mental health, with dedicated mental health first aiders.
SHORTLIST

Sheridan Lifts Ltd
Family-run business, Sheridan Lifts, is one of the UK’s largest independent lift companies, operating for over 40 years to provide a comprehensive range of products and services including design and installation of new lifts, maintenance of existing lifts and service and repair for all types of passenger/ service lifts.
Sheridan Lifts retains family and values from the top down and are social value champion. They aim to be the largest independent family-run UK businesses.
WINNER

Wessex Water
Wessex Water is a people centric organisation. At the heart of this business is a team talented of people who drive innovation, diversity and inclusion from the bottom up. Everything they do from talent attraction, selection, development, engagement and career progression has equity, fairness at its core. Whilst their people drive transformational change, their D&I initiatives all have solid executive sponsorship and demonstrable commitment.
SHORTLIST

Rolls-Royce
With a robust strategy in place, Rolls-Royce is taking action to advance diversity and inclusion across their business. In the last 12 months, they set their sights on their early talent population. With a bold approach that’s all about inclusion – from attraction through to support and development – they’ve not only increased the diversity of their own apprentices and graduates, but helped to show every student that engineering is a profession that’s open to them.
WINNER

Eleanor Piper, Rolls-Royce SMR
Eleanor is a passionate STEM and Inclusion Ambassador who, despite the challenges of Covid and GBR Olympic Archery Squad commitments, made an impact from the start. Working remotely with Sellafield she joined Rolls-Royce Submarines before moving to Rolls-Royce SMRs to head a multidisciplinary team launching material test programmes. Eleanor demonstrates that it is possible to excel at the highest academic, professional and sporting levels whilst inspiring the next generation to follow in her footsteps.
WINNER

Neil Firth, Airbus
Neil has been the driving force to many engineers in the business and is constantly coaching people to achieve, However, he is very humble in his approach even though he has been key to the success. He has a huge number of mentees across the business and will always provide support to anyone who asks. Although he is an executive leader with superb technical knowledge, his greatest strength is his ability to help others succeed.