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igem news
AGM
A DIFFERENT KIND OF AGM
On 20 May, IGEM members from around the globe gathered awards by Phil Jenkins.
Duncan followed this with his
for the institution’s 158th Annual General Meeting, which valedictory address. He said: “It has been
was fully virtual for the second year in a row. IGEM Marketing my privilege and honour to serve as
Assistant Jodie Shepherd reports IGEM President at this extraordinary
point in human history,” noting that his
institution and its activities through presidency had marked a first for the
this delivery format.” institution: one that was fully virtual,
He then discussed the fully virtual coinciding not only with the Covid-19
governance of the institution and pandemic, but also increased global
extended a special thank you to the action on climate change.
sections “for their initiative in “It has been a difficult time for
responding to webinars,” adding that as members, staff and families alike,” he
a result of our webinar meetings “we’ve said, “but selfless sacrifice is truly
IN CIRCUMSTANCES we’re all fairly now touched parts of the world that commendable. If there’s one aspect of
used to now, IGEM’s 158th AGM began we’ve never reached out to before.” the pandemic to reflect positively on, it
with the Queen’s loyal greetings being “I think it’s fully appropriate to is the public’s recognition of the science
read over Microsoft Teams before recognise that none of that could’ve and engineering community’s ability to
President Duncan Wong commenced happened without an absolutely innovate and deliver the goods. IGEM’s
proceedings with a moment of silence fantastic staff team,” Neil continued, community of engineers and managers
for those we have lost over the last year. adding: “I am very proud of them.” has continued to deliver the goods while
Duncan then handed over to IGEM’s He then wrapped up his report of the also taking the lead on hydrogen
CEO Neil Atkinson, who began with a year with a reiteration of his thanks for standards delivery and the sharing of
brief reflection on the year, also referring members and staff for their technical knowledge and advancement.”
to IGEM’s 2020 Annual Review, commitment in a very challenging year. He added: “As global travel has ground
Engineering a Sustainable Gas Future. Next on the agenda was the election to a halt, I’ve sadly not been able to
Neil began by noting that most of 2020 of auditors and then elections to engage personally with members as I’d
had been touched by the Covid-19 council and the executive board, wished. However, technology has allowed
pandemic, but said that, from an IGEM followed by the presentation of various me to remain seamlessly involved and I
perspective, it had remained business as am delighted to have led the institution
usual, thanks to the institution’s business through this time of accelerated
continuity plan proving to be robust. In digitalisation. Indeed, I believe that we
terms of the impact of the pandemic, Neil MEDALS AND AWARDS are emerging as a stronger, more
noted that IGEM’s modes of operation had accessible, more resourceful and more
changed, but the business plan objectives The Bronze Medal for Diversity sustainable institution that can deliver
remained in place and the institution’s Liam Chamberlain, IGEM Membership, resources to members.”
digital offering had rapidly accelerated. Diversity & Inclusion Officer Duncan then echoed Neil’s comments
Externally, there was a world focus on of thanks and was full of praise for the
net zero and IGEM’s efforts were Bronze Medal for Committee central team and Sections for their efforts
sharpened in the area of hydrogen. Member of the Year with online events and webinars, also
Discussing this, Neil listed various Tommy Knott, North West Section describing IGEMtv as indispensable. In
examples of progress and success terms of highlights from his presidential
including the launch of the Hydrogen Bronze Medal year, Duncan referred to events with
Knowledge Centre, plus in the areas of Sikander Mahmood speakers such as Kwasi Kwarteng, Chris
policy, safety, gas quality and Silver Medal Clarke and Lord Browne.
conferencing and events, to name a few. David MacDonald Duncan then welcomed new
Neil then took the opportunity to President for the 2021-22 period Ben
offer his thanks to two groups of people Gold Medal Clarke, Head of Gas Networks UK at
within IGEM for rising to the challenge Chris Train WSP, who said it was “an absolute
of the pandemic. honour to be the new President”.
“First and foremost, our members: Special Recognition Award
thank you very much,” he said. “We Steve Skipp If you missed the AGM, a recording is
were very quick off the mark with now available to view on IGEMtv via our
moving to virtual AGMs last year, which Lifetime Achievement Award website, where our Annual Review
is great actually because I think there is Chris Clarke Engineering a Sustainable Gas Future is
much greater transparency of the also available to download.
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