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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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        IGEMNews_AGM.indd   1                                                                                     15/07/2021   13:37
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