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GAS INDUSTRY AWARDS

ACCOLADES ACROSS THE AIRWAVES

In May, following a year’s postponement, the 2021 Gas The second award was for Engineer
Industry Awards finally took place, albeit virtually for the first of the Year, which also had two
time in the history of the awards. IGEM Marketing Assistant winners: David Butler, Director of SGN
Natural Gas, and David Rae, Project
Jodie Shepherd reports Manager at SGN.
“David Butler has been acknowledged
for his contribution to the safe, efficient
and cost-effective delivery of Northern
Ireland’s newest gas distribution
network,” Dallas said.
“David Rae has been recognised
for his work as the principal engineer
responsible and accountable for the
project to replace the pipeline crossing
the River Clyde in Scotland.”
The Young Person’s Achievement
Award, sponsored by Wales & West
Utilities, also had two winners. The first
of these was Gulraj Chatha, Engineering
Manager, Assurance & Compliance at
Cadent, who was recognised for his
drive, dedication and focus, which
have transformed the efficiency and
effectiveness of the company’s processes.
The second winner was Christopher
Stamp, Senior Pipeline Inspector at
THE GAS INDUSTRY AWARDS selecting who to shortlist and who R&L Project Services. Christopher’s
recognise the contribution of the will be crowned the winners of this nomination stood out to the judges
gas industry’s most innovative, year’s awards”. who acknowledged him for his known
dedicated and outstanding members “With the standard of entries so high skill and work ethic. He is regarded as
but, unfortunately, like many events, each of the individuals and companies a binding force within his team with a
were postponed last year due to the nominated for an award can be proud of great character. His achievements are
pandemic. However, the decision their achievements. Congratulations to worthy of huge recognition, particularly
to move the awards means that the you all, particularly this year,” he added. as he was diagnosed as being severely
nominees could receive the full coverage There were 10 award categories dyslexic from a young age. However,
they deserve with the winners named and attendees were reminded of the Christopher has never allowed this to
at a special virtual ceremony, hosted by shortlisted nominations before the stand in his way.
television presenter Dallas Campbell. winner of each category was announced. The next award was the Safety
Kicking off the ceremony, IGEM The first to be announced was the Award, sponsored by GISG and won by
President Duncan Wong welcomed Manager of the Year award, sponsored Wales & West Utilities for Demanding
attendees to the event and thanked the by Radius Systems, for which there were Safety Always. Mark Benton accepted
award sponsors, saying “without your two winners: Hilary Buxton, Director of the award on behalf of Wales & West
support, this event would not be possible”. Engineering at Cadent, and Julia Dwyer, Utilities, which was acknowledged
He also wished the best of luck to Director of the Cadent Foundation. for its continued efforts and overall
the finalists, adding that “the quality Hilary was recognised for thriving approach to safety.
of nominations improves every year in the face of complex, potentially Project of the Year was next up and
and makes the judging harder but unsolvable problems. She is constantly the 2021 winner was announced as
equally more enjoyable to see the working with and leading her team, National Grid Gas Transmission with
developments and improvements in adapting behaviours and experimenting the Asset Investment Planning project.
the sector”. with solutions. Julia was acknowledged This project stood out to the judges as
Duncan then handed over to Dallas, for her ability to move at pace in one that delivered significant business
who began by saying “since it began establishing the Cadent Foundation. improvements – including new ways
in 1998, the Gas Industry Awards has She has led by example, inspiring of working – with projected savings of
developed a reputation for uncovering others at every opportunity and £10.5 million.
extraordinary talent and innovation. enabling rapid progress to be made, The winner of the Customer Service
The judges tell me that this year is no making a lasting difference to some of Award, The Orange Angels for Cadent’s
exception, and they had a hard time the most vulnerable people in society. Eastern Network, “reacted to the needs

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