PRESS RELEASE: For use from 00:01 Wednesday 30thOctober 2019
Interviews with Mark and exclusive thought pieces available for publication - contact Mark onmark@equalengineers.comor 07877089036.
30thOctober 2019
EQUALENGINEERS LAUNCHES ENGINEERING TALENT AWARDS
EqualEngineers has today launched the inaugural annual Engineering Talent Awards, a brand-new set of awards to celebrate the diversity of the engineering and technology profession. The awards open for nominations from today and the winners will be announced at a gala awards dinner on 23rdApril 2020 in London where a stellar line-up of industry figures will be present.
In partnership with SSE and the Royal Academy of Engineering, the first-of-a-kind awards will:
- Raise the profile of engineering and technology across the UK and highlight diversity on a national platform.
- Inspire people to consider a career in engineering and technology through elevating positive role models.
- Celebrate the value that engineers bring to society in improving everyday life.
- Connect people in engineering and technology to foster greater collaboration.
- Champion the diversity of organisations delivering excellent engineering projects.
Mark McBride-Wright, Founder & Managing Director of EqualEngineers says:
"Engineering is a profession with a wealth of talent and opportunity, but unfortunately it is not well-known for the diversity of career opportunity which it gives you. It is my hope that by establishing these awards, we can showcase talented engineering apprentices, students, graduates and experienced engineers as well as all the good work going on by businesses to create a more inclusive industry by attracting and training diverse talent. I founded EqualEngineers to do this, and this is the next step towards achieving this."
Polly Williams, Head of Diversity and Inclusion of Royal Academy of Engineering says:
"We are pleased to be supporting these awards, which raise the profile of the work that organisations are doing to make engineering more inclusive and recognise and celebrate talented engineers promoting diversity in the profession. The Academy is a vocal supporter of efforts to make engineering more diverse as well as promoting an inclusive culture. These awards will highlight the aspects of our profession that make it a desirable place to work and thrive.
Jim Smith, Managing Director of SSE Renewables says:
"The engineering industry forms the backbone of industry in the UK. Our own sector, energy, is no different. The innovation, expertise and drive of our engineers is at the very heart of our operations. From forging the hydro-electric revolution in the Scottish Highlands to maintaining and managing the electricity networks and onto leading the way in the development of renewable energy in the fight against climate change.
As a business, we are committed to increasing diversity across the organisation, and our continued success depends on the engineering profession's ability to harness all possible talent. We are incredibly proud to be supporting the inaugural year of the Engineering Talent Awards, and meeting the talent that is in our sector."
The Engineering Talent Awards were launched at the flagship EqualEngineers London Careers Fair and are open to anyone in the engineering and technology sector across the categories which include:
- Best Engineering Society of the Year
- Engineering Apprentice of the Year
- Engineering Graduate of the Year
- Engineering Student of the Year
- Engineering Returner of the Year
- Chartered Engineer of the Year
- Best Professional Engineering Institution of the Year
- Large Employer of the Year
- Small-Medium-Enterprise of the Year
- Best Inclusion Programme of the Year
- Best Recruitment Team of the Year
- Best Project of the Year
- Employee Network of the Year
- Executive Leader of the Year
- Best Innovation of the Year
An Overall Excellence in Engineering Award will be given on the evening to the overall winner.
The judges have been drawn from across industry including organisations such as WorldSkillsUK, Innovate UK and the Women's Engineering Society and many more.
Visit:http://bit.ly/EngTalentAwards2020from 30th October to submit your nominations and for more information.
Nominations close Friday 10thJanuary 2019. Ceremony will take place on Thursday 23rdApril 2020 at the Leonardo City Hotel, London.
Sponsorship and media opportunities available. Contactinfo@engineeringtalentawards.comfor enquiries.
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To interview Mark McBride-Wright, contact him onmark@equalengineers.com
Notes to Editors
About EqualEngineers
EqualEngineers has established itself as a go-to organisation to support engineering organisations in equality, diversity and inclusion with a speciality on engaging the male-majority. The engineering sector lacks in diversity and inclusion of under-represented groups, which is proven to increase performance, growth and innovation, as well as improve health, safety and wellbeing. EqualEngineers provides a solution to this through training, consultancy, recruitment and events.
About Dr Mark McBride-Wright CEng MIChemE
Mark McBride-Wright, PhD, CEng, IChemE is a recognised diversity and inclusion leader. He is Founder and Managing Director of EqualEngineers, a company focused on connecting inclusive employers with diverse talent in the engineering and technology sectors and offering a wide array of D&I consultancy services alongside annual careers fairs and networking events. He is also Chair and Co-Founder of InterEngineering, a non-profit industry body that connects, informs and empowers LGBT+ engineers and supporters with a membership of over 1,000 engineers across 4 regional groups across the UK. Mark is Founding Member of the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group for the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), External Advisor to the Metropolitan Police, sitting on their Strategic Inclusion Diversity & Equality (STRIDE) Board, Diversity Board Member for the University of Kent, and Advisory Member to the Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
In recognition of his diversity work, Mark won the coveted 'Corporate Rising Star' award at the 2016 British LGBT Awards and was ranked #2 in the 2015 Financial Times Future LGBT Leaders list (#6 in 2016). In addition, he was 'Highly Commended' at the Inclusive Networks Awards (2015), shortlisted for the 'Corporate Equality Award' by PinkNews (2016), and is a regular speaker at the London Business School. He has worked with many Fortune 50 companies on D&I programs and talent engagement strategies and has also authored a white paper for the UK Government on tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in engineering. Mark is a Chartered Engineer (IChemE) by training with a focus on health and safety, having worked at KBR Inc (2013-2017) and ERM (2012-2013) before pursuing his work in diversity. He also holds a doctorate (PhD) in chemical engineering at Imperial College London (2009-2013).
Awards & Accolades
- Winner 2016 "Corporate Rising Star" British LGBT Awards
- #2 in 2015 Financial Times Future LGBT Leaders list (#6 2016)
- Shortlisted, "Young Chemical Engineer in Industry", 2016 IChemE Global Awards
- InterEngineering, "Highly Commended" at 2015 Inclusive Networks Awards
- InterEngineering, Shortlisted for "LGBT Community Group of the Year", 2016 National Diversity Awards
- InterEngineering, Shortlisted "Corporate Equality Award", 2016 PinkNews Awards
About the Royal Academy of Engineering
As the UK's national academy for engineering and technology, we bring together the most successful and talented engineers from academia and business - our Fellows - to advance and promote excellence in engineering for the benefit of society.
We harness their experience and expertise to provide independent advice to government, to deliver programmes that help exceptional engineering researchers and innovators realise their potential to engage the public with engineering and to provide leadership for the profession.
We have three strategic priorities:
- Make the UK the leading nation for engineering innovation and businesses
- Address the engineering skills and diversity challenge
- Position engineering at the heart of society
We bring together engineers, policy makers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, academics, educators and the public in pursuit of these goals. Engineering is a global profession, so we work with partners across the world to advance engineering's contribution to society on an international, as well as a national scale.