THE 2017 NEPIC – North East Process Industry Cluster – annual awards saw 14 presented and £20,000 in prize money given out.

Around 430 industry representatives attended the night at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, on Friday of last week.

Apprentice of the Year Awards were presented to Sophie Hawman, of GSK in Barnard Castle, Harvey Smith, of Teesside-based Lotte Chemical and Alex Bottomley, of K Home International for outstanding commitment to their studies and career progression.

Young achievers were also awarded for their exceptional career achievements to date. They included Gemma Kitson, of Absolute Antibody; Alexandra Marshall, of Ineos Nitriles; Reuben McNaughten from GSK; Stefano Ceci, of Johnson Matthey; and Michael Cummins from Falck Fire Services. Each received £1,000.

The Environmental Award for North East Primary Schools was won by St. Oswald’s Primary School, Newcastle, for their plans to transform an unused outdoor space in a wildlife garden designed, built and managed by the children. A sum of £2,000 was donated by award sponsor BOC-Linde to take the children’s plans from paper to reality.

Teesside-based Fine Environmental Services won the Industrial Environmental Award and SABIC UK Petrochemicals was named Manufacturer of the Year.

Also collecting awards were SME’s of the Year, Exwold Technologies and Tomlinson Hall, the pump manufacturer and distributor.

David Hodgson, of Sterling Pharma Solutions, received the 2017 award for his outstanding contribution to industry while Daniel Gottschald, of TUM International GMBH,was recognised for his outstanding contribution to international business development.

Dr Stan Higgins, NEPIC chief executive, said: "The calibre of attendees of our event and the list of fantastic sponsors reflects the importance of the Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Polymer process industries to both the regional and national economy.

"I don’t know of another industry or business event that hands out £20,000 per annum in prizes to its young people and local schools via the company winners of our awards.

"Over the past ten years £66,000 has been given to 66 rising stars from within our sector and £134,000 has been donated to local schools for STEM related projects.

"Our sector represents half of the regional economy and 50 per cent of the UK chemical industry. We are big, important and proud enough to shout about it while putting our money where our mouth is!"