The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) celebrated its prestigious Young Woman Engineer of the Year (YWE) Awards at London's Savoy Place.

Where Women Work is a long term partner of these fabulous annual awards which elevate women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) passionate about making their mark and inspiring the next generation. 

The awards spotlight women working in modern engineering, and aim to help change the perception that engineering is predominantly a career for men by banishing outdated engineering stereotypes of hard hats and dirty overalls.

As well as highlighting the talent of women engineers, the awards seek to find role models who can help address the UK science and engineering skills crisis by promoting engineering careers to more girls and women, showing them they too can engineer a better world.

Championing women's engineering careers

Talented young women engineers [pictured above] were celebrated at the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards for their work in engineering. Beyond the awards, all winners and finalists will play an ambassadorial role for engineering and technology professions, promoting engineering careers to more girls and young people.

“Engineering and technology have been improving our world and shaping our future for centuries. Engineers make an ongoing difference to the world around us, and we want to celebrate those engineering a better world for us all. However, due a lack of understanding around what engineering is, perceived gender norms and not enough visible role models for the next generation, the UK has a shortage of women engineers," said Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the IET, Dr Laura Norton.

“Our awards tell the stories of incredible women engineers who are changing our world for the better, and I’d like to congratulate our fantastic winners and finalists this year. They are a real credit to the engineering profession and make excellent role models to young girls who might be thinking about a career in engineering and technology. It’s vital we champion engineering careers to the next generation – it’s a diverse, creative and exciting career, which offers the opportunity to change lives, or even the world," added Dr Norton.

Titi Oliyide is Young Woman Engineer of the Year winner for 2023

During the ceremony, Titi Oliyide [pictured above] was announced as the winner of the 2023 Young Woman Engineer of the Year award.

Titi is a Senior Process Safety Engineer at Supercritical Solutions. Titi provides technical process safety expertise for innovative hydrogen production technology to facilitate the energy transition, whilst contributing to the energy security strategy and the UK’s net-zero plan for 2030. Titi is part of the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK), managing two organizational partner accounts, facilitating their Diversity and Inclusion improvement programs.

"Her dynamism, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and outstanding achievements make her a true role model in engineering," said the IET. 

“I can’t believe I’ve been named the 2023 Young Woman Engineer of the Year, joining an incredible line-up of outstanding women who have come before me. I am really passionate about demystifying and promoting the industry, and this gives me an amazing platform to introduce more young people to the world of engineering and show them how they can make a difference in the world through this impactful profession," said Titi. 

Young Woman Engineer of the Year award is given to a dynamic engineer who is a high achiever, a problem solver, a team player and who represents the very best of the profession. The winner is an inspiration and role model to her colleagues and has the passion and personality to inspire others to follow in her footsteps.

Celebrating talented finalists for the YWE Award 

The IET also celebrated the talented finalists for the YWE awards: Engineering Team Lead for BAE Systems Submarines, Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee (35); Pell Frischmann Senior Structural Engineer, Zainab Adigun (31); ERM Consultant, Laura Hoang (33); National Grid Apprentice Substation Engineer, Jade Kimpton (22), and Civil Engineering Graduate Apprentice at Amey Consulting, Georgina Andrew (21) were all shortlisted for the awards [pictured above].

"Let's raise a toast to our exceptional finalists for their remarkable contributions in engineering! Each one displayed incredible dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment. Congratulations to all for their outstanding achievements!" said the IET.

 Zainab Adigun is the Women Engineering Society Prize winner

Pell Frischmann Senior Structural Engineer, Zainab Adigun, was named the winner of the Women Engineering Society (WES) Prize. Working in partnership, WES campaigns to encourage women to participate and achieve as engineers, scientists and as leaders.

At Pell Frischmann, Zainab manages a small engineering team that develops and delivers engineering solutions for clients. Zainab is responsible for undertaking structural design and analysis, as well as coordinating, managing, delegating and implementing structural designs with a range of building requirements.

"Zainab's impactful work in attracting young talents into engineering while tackling issues faced by women in this field is truly remarkable," commented the IET.

The WES Prize is awarded to an inspiring engineer who engages and encourages young people’s involvement in STEM. She is also interested in the challenges women face in maintaining their career in engineering.

 Jade Kimpton is the Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices winner

Meanwhile, Jade Kimpton's exceptional commitment, team spirit, and enthusiasm for engineering earned her the Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices.

"A true inspiration to aspiring engineers...Jade is a real team player and is seen as an ‘all-rounder’, acting as an enthusiastic role model to encourage other young women to enter the profession of engineering through the apprenticeship route," added the IET.

Jade is an Apprentice Substation Engineer at National Grid. She carries out maintenance on substation assets and is involved in the commissioning of new renewable generation connections. Jade repairs and replaces assets to ensure the electricity supply around the UK remains reliable.

The prize is given to a young female apprentice who shows great promise and potential in the profession and is tipped to be one of tomorrow’s leaders in engineering. The late Mary George CBE joined the Electrical Association for Women (EAW) in 1956, having previously been a Civil Servant with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Mary was appointed the Director and Secretary of EAW and after her death in 1983, a collection was organized by the Association to form a memorial fund to her. In 1985 the fund was used to inaugurate the Mary George Memorial Prize.

Adrienne Houston is the Gender Diversity Ambassador Award winner 

Adrienne Houston, owner of Eurovacuum Products Ltd, took home the Gender Diversity Ambassador Award.

"Their dedication to fostering gender equality in engineering sets a remarkable example. Well-deserved recognition," said the IET.

During her career, Adrienne has worked tirelessly to promote engineering to young girls from all demographic areas, who want to pursue STEM careers. Adrienne is someone who actively promotes and supports gender equality and inclusivity, and actively contributes to the advancement of women, helping to pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive engineering profession.

Adrienne established Eurovacuum Products Ltd in 2012, specializing in vacuum and low-pressure compressor systems. Adrienne's company was born out of discrimination she suffered at the time of becoming a mother. Adrienne recognized the talent of a diverse workforce, and built and fostered an inclusive company culture. Now in its fifth year, the Gender Diversity Ambassador Award recognizes an individual’s hard work in achieving gender equality within the engineering industry. This lifetime achievement award aims to showcase innovation and good practice to compliment the YWE Awards, by recognizing the support and encouragement of women in STEM careers.

Following the 40 year anniversary of the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards, the Gender Diversity Ambassador Award was created to honor and recognize an individual that has dedicated a large proportion of their career to achieving gender equality within the engineering industry. The award aims to celebrate a role model, but also showcase innovation and good practices when it comes to implementing tactics and policies to address the gender gap through attracting and retaining women in engineering.

Evi Viza receives Highly Commended for Gender Diversity Ambassador Award 

A strong round of applause was given for Evi Viza, for her incredible commitment to fostering gender diversity in engineering.

This commitment earned Evi the highly commended prize for the Gender Diversity Ambassador Award.

"Well done on this notable accomplishment!" added the IET.

Program Leader on the MSc Quality Management iat the University of the West of Scotland.

Evi Viza is a Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineer with specialisation on Quality Management and Continuous Improvement. She is a Chartered Quality Professional and a Black Belt Lean Six Sigma practitioner. She is member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). Dr Viza’s research focuses on applying operations management, quality improvement, and lean principles to solve industry problems, as well as how they apply to the work of craft groups and in the cottage industry particularly in low resource economies. She has been involved in interdisciplinary research projects with a focus on systems approach and sustainability, and gender diversity within STEM across different settings.

Anne-Marie Imafidon was the awards host

The award ceremony began with its host, Anne-Marie Imafidon. 

A computer scientist, mathematician and social entrepreneur, Anne-Marie works to inspire women to study and pursue STEM careers. Anne-Marie hosted the Evening Standard’s Women Tech Charge podcast, and comments on technology, the changing nature of work, and the challenges both present to business and society.

Anne-Marie founded and continues to lead, Stemettes, a social enterprise dedicated to bringing girls and young women to STEM subjects. Stemettes has helped tens of thousands of schoolgirls go on to higher levels of study in STEM.

Anne Locker gave the keynote address

The YWE Awards event's guest speaker was the IET's very own Library and Archives Manager, Anne Locker, who took attendees through a HERstory lesson about women in STEM and innovation. 

The IET archives enable researchers to access a wealth of searchable information - in print and online - from the organization's outstanding specialist collections. Books and journals are also available through the IET's online library catalogue, a unique collection of material promoting and preserving the history of science, engineering and technology via our archives online.

The YWE Awards 2023 were sponsored by Airbus, Collins Aerospace, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, Leonardo, London Stansted Airport, MBDA, National Grid, Northrop Grumman, Ofcom, Royal Air Force, RS Components Grass Roots, and Thales. Where Women Work is a long-term named collaborator on the awards.

Support the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards annually

The IET is always looking for brilliant women in STEM who are passionate about making their mark and inspiring the next generation, showing them they too can engineer a better world.

Are you a dynamic young female engineer who represents the best in her industry? Are you a high achiever, problem solver and team player?

Learn more about showcasing your impressive engineering achievements.

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