14 Champions Crowned at North East Chemical Industry Awards

industry news

24 Jan 2017

14 Champions Crowned at North East Chemical Industry Awards

£20,000 donated to chemical sector rising stars and champion companies at annual NEPIC industry awards.

Witnessed by some 430 process industry executives, fourteen awards were presented to the region’s brightest youngsters, best companies and tireless contributors within the process sector at this year’s NEPIC Annual Awards evening.

Twenty thousand pounds in prize funds were donated over the course of the evening to award winners, in support of future career development and local science-related school projects.

Eight of the region’s rising stars were recognised from companies following a flurry of fantastic entries.

Apprentice of the Year Awards – three in total – were awarded to Sophie Hawman of GSK, Harvey Smith of Teesside-based Lotte Chemical and K Home International’s Alex Bottomley for their outstanding commitment to their studies and career progression.

Young Achievers from across the region’s industry sectors were also awarded for their exceptional career achievements to-date. This year’s winners included Gemma Kitson of Absolute Antibody, Alexandra Marshall of Ineos Nitriles, from Barnard Castle-based GSK, Reuben McNaughten, Stefano Ceci of Johnson Matthey and from Falck Fire Services, Michael Cummins – who all picked up awards and walked away with cheques for £1,000.

The Environmental Award for North East Primary Schools was won by St. Oswald’s Primary School, for their plans to transform an unused outdoor space in a wildlife garden designed, built and managed by the children. £2,000 was donated by award sponsor BOC-Linde to take the children’s plans from paper to reality.

Teesside-based Fine Environmental Services scooped this year’s Industrial Environmental Award and SABIC UK Petrochemicals, were named Manufacturer of the Year.

Also collecting awards, made from locally manufactured Acrylic at the Lucite International site in Billingham, are SME’s of the Year, Exwold Technologies and Tomlinson Hall.

David Hodgson of Sterling Pharma Solutions, joined the roll of honour and celebrating the sector’s greatest contributors as he collected the 2017 award for his Outstanding Contribution to industry.

Receiving recognition for outstanding contribution to International Business Development, was Daniel Gottschald, of TUM International GMBH.

NEPIC chief executive, Dr Stan Higgins, said:

“The calibre of the winners and attendees of our event, along with the list of fantastic sponsors, reflects the importance of the Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Polymer process industries to the both regional and national economy.

Stan continued:

“I don’t know of another industry or business event that hands our £20,000 per annum in prizes to its young people and local schools via the company winners of our awards. Over the last 10 years £66,000 has been given in prizes to 66 rising stars from within our sector and £134,000 has been donated to local schools for STEM related projects.

“Our sector represents half of the regional economy and 50% of the UK chemical industry; we are big, important and proud enough to shout about it while putting our money where our mouth is!”

To date, via the NEPIC awards, industry has gifted £200,000 to the region’s rising stars and regional school science and environmental projects.

The awards evening was gratefully sponsored by ABB, BOC-Linde, Cape, Chemoxy, Centre for Process Innovation, ITS, Lotte Chemical UK, Lucite International, Middlesbrough College, px group, REstore and Wilton International.

View awards photo gallery>

NEPIC ANNUAL INDUSTRY AWARD WINNER SUMMARY

Apprentices of the Year

Sophie Hawman, GSK (Current, Manufacturing)
Harvey Smith, Lotte Chemical UK (Completed, Manufacturing)
Alex Bottomley, K Home International (Supply Chain)

Young Achievers

Gemma Kitson, Absolute Antibody (Biotechnology)
Alexandra Marshall, Ineos Nitrilies (Base Chemicals)
Reuben McNaughten, GSK (Pharmaceuticals)
Stefano Ceci, Johnson Matthey (Fine & Speciality)
Michael Cummings, Falck Fire Services (Supply Chain)