World leading engineers win at IET Achievement Awards

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has named the winners of its 2018 Achievement Awards. One of this year’s most significant awards, the Mountbatten Medal, goes to Professor William Webb for his outstanding contribution in the field of telecommunication and 5G.

The IET Achievement Awards exist to recognise individuals from all over the world who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of engineering, technology and science in any sector. This can be through research and development in their respective technical field or through their leadership of an enterprise.

Professor William Webb was one of the founding directors of Neul, a company developing machine-to-machine technologies, which was subsequently sold to Huawei in 2014 for $25m. As IET’s youngest former President, he led initiatives to broaden the IET’s reach and make its output more relevant to the non-engineering community. He has also been instrumental in pioneering changes to radio spectrum management as the Director for UK’s Ofcom.

Another top accolade this year goes to Professor Nigel Allinson from the University of Lincoln, who receives the J J Thomson Medal for his significant work in the advancement of complex medical imaging instruments for the optimum treatment of cancer using proton beam therapy. In addition, his work on the transmission of fingerprints from crime scenes to bureaus is used by UK Police, reducing time-to-indent from days to minutes.

On receiving his award, William commented: “It’s wonderful to get peer recognition as a sign that my work has been noticed and is making a difference. It is also a great motivator to keep actively working across the industry to achieve more in the future.”

Nigel added: “I am humbled to be recognised alongside incredible engineers and technicians for the work we do to advance the world around us. These innovations have the power to make an incredible difference to people’s lives and it is an honour to be recognised for my contribution.”

Sergeant Dan Hardwick was announced as the winner of the Armed Forces Technician of the Year Award, which recognises individuals who have made exceptional engineering achievements to their profession or operational area.

Sergeant Hardwick was chosen for the award for his contributions to the development of aircraft tools in the RAF. As a dedicated STEM ambassador he has assisted in promoting STEM throughout Norfolk, resulting in the team attending over 80 events during this centenary year.

On receiving the award, Dan said: “It is an honour to receive this award from the IET as recognition of my services to engineering and the Armed Forces.

“I’m incredibly passionate about inspiring younger generations to become engineers. We need to break down the stereotypes created that engineers have to be purely academic, because creativity and inquisitiveness are also highly important for success. Schools should continue to encourage creativity and thinking outside the box to inspire younger generations into STEM.”

Another winner on the night was Phoebe Loveridge who won the Apprentice of the Year Award, which recognises individuals who have made exceptional engineering contributions to their profession or operational area.

Phoebe, an engineering surveyor with the Submarine Delivery Agency, HMNB Devonport, was chosen as Apprentice of the Year from a shortlist of three.

During her apprenticeship, Phoebe stood out from the outset from her peers. She readily volunteered for all STEM events in local schools, working with children during a six week STEM event to encourage women in engineering within the local area.

Phoebe volunteered to undertake a placement in one of the MoD’s industry partners, as a constructive trainee. This allowed her to gain a unique insight into how the relationship between the customer, the contractor and MoD worked to benefit of the tax payer, as well as gaining experience to enhance her role as a surveyor. In her final year, Phoebe was selected to fill a vacant surveyor’s role. Not only did Phoebe excel in this role, she completed her apprenticeship five months early, with offers for all four roles she had applied for.

Phoebe received a prize consisting of a trophy, certificate, £1,000 and two years’ free IET membership.

Commenting on the awards, Mike Carr, IET President, said: “We are honoured to present these talented individuals with our top Achievement Medals. They have each excelled in their professions and have made a vast contribution as pioneers of important areas in the engineering and technology industries. They should all be very proud of their achievements – with each award being extremely well-deserved.”

Both medallists join 12 other winners, who were nominated by their peers as leading engineers and technicians in their field.

The Achievement Awards, which took place on Wednesday 14 November 2018, are part of the IET’s Achievement Awards and Scholarships programme, which this year provided over £1million in awards, prizes and scholarships to celebrate excellence and research in the sector and encourage the next generation of engineers and technicians. All IET awards seek to inspire and reward engineering excellence, including apprentices at the start of their careers, through to reputable, established professional engineers and technicians.

Find out more about the Achievement Awards here: www.theiet.org/achievement.