Mentorship and comradeship – shaping careers at all ages

OLIVER STUBBS MEDAL

Andrew Tagg IEng Prof MICME of John Winter & Co Ltd is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Oliver Stubbs Medal. Having wide ranging technical experience in the UK, USA and India, Andrew Tagg is a familiar face at conferences, where he is keen to impart his expertise to others for the betterment of the industry. In accepting the award he said: “I am very humbled and appreciate the support of the institute over the years. My passion is educating people, it is vitally important, so let’s keep up the momentum.”

 

 

EJ FOX AWARD

It was double success for Vanguard Foundry with Karl Hopkins MICME and Paul Kendrick MICME both picking up EJ Fox Awards for their commitment to the industry following the recent management buyout at the company.

Hopkins and Kendrick have a long association with ICME, which has supported them throughout their careers at branch and national level. In accepting their awards, they both paid tribute to the impressive legacy left for them at the foundry. “I would like to thank Brian and Valerie Higgins, both here today to experience this with us, for all your advice and help. You have handed over a fantastic company and I can assure you it is in safe hands,” said Karl Hopkins.

Paul Kendrick echoed those words, saying: “You have laid down a great foundation for us to build on and I believe we make a good team. It’s about delivering and continually improving.”

 

 

 

MERITORIOUS SERVICES MEDALS

Meritorious Services Medals were bestowed upon Simon Alexander FICME, Trevor Ayre FICME, Russell Gray EngTech MICME, John Myers MICME and David Rowlands CEng MIM Hon FICME.

Thanking his colleagues in the Northern branch, Simon Alexander said: “The recipients of awards in this room reflects the hard work and innovation undertaken to keep our industry going. I am honoured to receive this; it is a real privilege.”

Trevor Ayre said he was enthused to note the level of support for the industry. “I thank the institute for this recognition. It is great to see what companies like Vanguard are doing. If we continue to invest in our industry, we have a future, so please continue to invest in training and developing for the future.”

Picking up on the number of young people in the audience, Russell Gray highlighted what can be achieved with hard work, support and determination. “At the age of seventeen I got involved and became spellbound with the foundry industry. I am so fortunate to have found an industry where I belong, so thank you and thanks to the Northern branch.”

In accepting his award, David Rowlands praised those around him. “This is a great honour and I must acknowledge the good work and co-operation of other people who I have worked with,” he said.

 

JOHN CAMPBELL MEDAL

The John Campbell Medal was awarded to Dr Pam Murrell FICME for her “personable leadership and unsparing efforts for the cast metals industry,” in her previous roles as general secretary of ICME and CEO of the Cast Metals Federation (CMF).

“I have always thought that it is vital to look over the horizon, to meet with people from other companies and with other backgrounds, to be able to plan for the future, to drive innovation and to be able to problem-solve for future competitiveness,” she told attendees at the awards luncheon. “Plus, of course, if we don’t articulate our industry’s problems to decision makers, including those with the funding, how can we expect research that might benefit our industry to be carried out.”

Speaking about the vast amount of initiatives she led and championed during her time at ICME and the CMF, she said:  “None of this can be done alone of course, and collaboration and teamwork are vital, so whilst I am proud and grateful for this award from ICME, I dedicate it to all the people I have worked with over the years, some of whom are no longer with us and to the others who can carry the torch forward.

“I would like to thank the institute, and I congratulate all this year’s awards winners, particularly the younger people who will carry the responsibility for the future of the industry.”

LONG AND NOTABLE SERVICES AWARDS

Long and Notable Services Awards were presented to Richard Cairns BSc CEng MIM Prof MICME, Mark Fenyes CEng FIMM FICME (not present) and Don Tittensor Prof MICME. Richard Cairns said he was “honoured and humbled”. Don Tittensor thanked the ICME and his colleagues and Mark Fenyes sent a message urging members to “interact with your peers. You only get out what you put in.”

 

BRITISH FOUNRY MEDAL

The British Foundry Medal, awarded for the author of the best technical article published in Foundry Trade Journal (as determined by the ICME technical committee), was presented to Rudi Bittniok of Foseco for the article, ‘Nozzle technologies for iron and steel foundries,’ as published in the Aug/Sept 2024 issue. In accepting the award, he said: “This is a big honour for me to come from Germany and be recognised in the UK. I have learned much over 36 years.”

HONORARY FELLOWSHIPS

Honorary ICME Fellowships were awarded to Chris Allott IEng MIMMM FICME and Tony Sartorius FICME of Alucast. Chris Allott said: “I am very honoured. I look at the talent in this room and am absolutely humbled. We must focus on training initiatives to underpin the foundry industry.” Tony Sartorius echoed this sentiment, saying: “We are a band of enthusiastic individuals committed to promoting our industry. Apprentices are the leaders of the future for this remarkable industry.”

 

 

 

PC NIX AWARD (NON-FERROUS)

The PC Nix Award, which honours those excelling in the non-ferrous sector, was bestowed on Charlie Thomas MICME of Alucast, who exemplifies what her employers advocate. Having completed a two-week work experience at the foundry three years ago, she went on to embark on an intense manufacturing course, before being offered an apprenticeship at the company. She has continued to learn and grow in her confidence and abilities. Accepting the prestigious award she said: “It is an honour to be here today. I would like to thank Tony for putting his faith in me. I thank ICME and you all from the bottom of my heart.”

 

WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF IRONMONGERS AWARD

BEST STUDENT (FERROUS)

Bradley Abrahams of Castings PLC won the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers Best Student (Non-Ferrous) award. He joined the company as a technical foundry apprentice in October 2019 and has spent time in various departments throughout his apprenticeship. Since completing his apprenticeship, he has taken on the role of junior foreman. He has shown a “desire to learn and a keen sense of responsibility.” In receiving the award he said: “I would like to thank everyone at Castings PLC and Chris Allott for helping and encouraging me.”

Such was the standard this year, that Highly Commended certificates were awarded to Richard Keyes and David Parsons, both of WmLee. They both thanked trainers Eddie Lyndsey and Chris Allott for as Keyes said: “his great knowledge,” and as Parsons quipped: “The internet has Wikipedia but the foundry industry has Chris Allott!”

 

WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF FOUNDERS AWARDS

BEST APPRENTICE

Picking up the Worshipful Company of Founders Best Apprentice Award, Ronnie Pratt of Omega Sinto Foundry Machinery Ltd said: “I am absolutely honoured. I would like to thank Omega Sinto. I am enjoying my time in the foundry industry and I look forward to developing my career further.”

 

INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION (NON-FERROUS)

Liam Greaves of Alucast was awarded the Industry Contribution Award from the Worshipful Company of Founders. His career at the company began over a decade ago and he has continued to be guided by mentors and to gain considerable knowledge and skills. In collecting the award he paid tribute to those around him: “I thank you for this prestigious award and I would like to give a special mention to my parents and to everyone at Alucast. Here’s to many more years.”