Award winners hand cash to schools

Jan 29 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

WINNERS of outstanding achievement in the North-east’s Process Industry have donated all their prize money to local schools.

A total of £6,000 was given away following the announcement earlier this month of the winners in the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) Annual Awards.

Honoured were three companies, five young achievers and one school for their exceptional contribution in the areas of environmental, safety and career development in the North-east process industries.

More than 400 industry leaders and specialists were present.

Stan Higgins, chief executive of NEPIC, said: “We had many outstanding entries from industry, schools and young people from our sector.

“The prize winners are exceptional projects or exceptional people.

“This demonstrates that the process industries remain a great opportunity for a fantastic career, in an industry that takes its environmental and safety responsibilities seriously.”

Margaret Fay, One NorthEast chairman, said: “NEPIC continues to play a high profile role in championing the North-east and its process industry.

“These awards celebrate success across the industry from companies to schools and young people.

“The winners should be proud of their achievements and will provide an inspiration to others in the industry.”

Sembcorp Utilities UK and Merck Sharp & Dohme were joint winners of the Environmental Industrial Award, who donated their prize fund of £2,000 to South Bank Community Primary School in Middlesbrough.

Carillion PME Engineering won the Safety Award and donated its £2,000 prize fund to Ormesby School, a specialist engineering school.

Wolsingham School and Community College in Weardale won the Environmental Schools Award.

It also received a £2,000 cheque to contribute towards their environmental project outlined in their winning entry.

Five Young Achievers from each sub sector of the industry received handsome trophies and cheques for £1,000 each to recognise their career achievements to date.

The winners were: Sharon Griffiths of Specials Lab for Pharmaceuticals; Mike Gibson of Shasun for Fine & Speciality; Kirsty Winter of Lucite International for Base Chemicals; Andrew Fenny of Avecia for Biotechnology and Nicola Waller of Chemical Industry Education Centre for Supply and Support.

The event was sponsored by ABB Global Consulting and award sponsors were BOC, Link Associates and R Blackett Charlton.