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Hardwick Hall’s Coleman Suite, with its impressive chandeliers, was a fitting setting for this year’s North East of England Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) Annual Awards and Dinner.

The event, held on Friday 24th March 2023, celebrated the exceptional achievements of the individuals and companies in the process industry across the North East of England and was attended by 400 industry leaders.

With a history of 17 years, the NEPIC Annual Awards celebrates excellence in the process industry across the region. This year, 16 awards were presented across 10 categories with a total prize fund of £24,000 – £16,000 of which will be donated to North East schools to support local STEM projects.

Apprentice of the Year Awards went to Harry Mason of Sembcorp, Luke Tennick of Misubishi Chemical and Abby Clark of CPI. 

Following her win, Abby said:

“I feel very happy that the work I’ve done has been recognised and contributed to the industry.”

Young Achievers from across the region’s industry sectors were also awarded for their exceptional career achievements. This year’s winners included Amy Summerton of SABIC, Louise Taylor of CPI, Marcia Pryce of Johnson Matthey, Matthew Black of Axiom Engineering Associate and Emma Robinson with another win for Sembcorp.

Of his win, Matthew said: ​

“I’m overwhelmed and appreciative of Axiom Engineering for putting me through multiple courses and developing me.”

Young Achiever Emma Robinson added: ​

“Really excited. Great time to be on Teesside, we’ve got a really great talent pool and I hope we continue to develop people.”

St Margaret Clitherow’s Catholic Primary School took away the school environmental prize and £2,000 to help them complete their vision of developing their School’s Environmental Action Plan by building a vegetable garden on their grounds. The school’s team of Eco Stewards (comprised of approximately 20 pupils) will be responsible for planting, sowing and harvesting the produce.

Nickie Laurie of the school said: ​

“We are really delighted. Great for the children and an excellent project.”

Rewarding and recognising the outstanding achievement and success during 2022, company awards were picked up by Teesside University North East Industry Innovation Centre (Corporate Environmental); IKM Consulting (Small Business of the Year); Addison Project (Engineering Firm of the Year); SEQENS (Innovation award). Sembcorp Energy UK scooped up yet another 2 awards for Apprenticeship Employer of the Year and the Communities & Reputation award.

Sembcorp’s Joanne Potter said:

“We are astounded to have won the award. To allow young people to grow within your organisation is fantastic and provides opportunities to so many young people.”

The final award of the evening was given to Graham Taylor, completing an amazing evening for Sembcorp Energy UK. Graham was awarded the Outstanding Contribution trophy for his work in helping others to further their career within the industry. 

Graham said:

“I’m ecstatic, great to see so many people and companies and hear your story. It’s fantastic.”

The NEPIC awards, and the support to North East Primary Schools, is made possible thanks to the tremendous support of our sponsors who include Wolviston Management Services, Sembcorp, Mitsubishi Chemical,  Teesside University Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, Alpek Polyester, Royal Den Hartogh Logistics, bp, Altrad, Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), Industrial Technology Systems (ITS), Appleyard Lees, Anglo American, EDF Energy and Kellas Midstream.

The awards ceremony was also an opportunity to show appreciation to the outgoing chair, px Group’s Mark Kennrick, who steps down after five years, and welcome new chair, Roger Kilburn. Roger brings 35 years’ experience in the biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors having worked for ICI and Johnson Matthey during his career.

Speaking of the volume of entries received, NEPIC Chief Executive, Philip said:

“The quality and quantity of the award entries we receive each year reflects the sheer passion, determination and class of the businesses and employees represented within the NEPIC network.

“NEPIC represents the largest single cluster of process, pharmaceutical and chemical companies anywhere in the UK, and is the second largest in the whole of Europe. Given the North East’s proud industrial heritage, our winners have all the more reason to be proud of their achievements here.”

NEPIC’s awards ceremony leaves a local legacy by working with nominated schools that receive £2,000 to develop STEM projects, building ever-closer links between industry and academia to ensure the sector continues to grow and prosper through the next generation of local talent. The organisation has been responsible for distributing more than £110,000 to local projects through its annual awards.