The Society of Operations Engineers celebrated the good work of engineers, innovators and leaders at the 2024 edition of the awards.

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On 17th October, engineers, mentors and engineering businesses from across the world came together at ThinkTank in Birmingham Science Museum to recognise and celebrate the entrants’ incredible work in safety and professional standards. Backed by sponsors DAF Trucks, Road Haulage Association (RHA), Beverley Bell Consulting and Training, Net Zero Week 2025 and Energy Security and Green Infrastructure Week 2024, and supported by SAFed, Society for the Environment, irtec and Transport Engineer, the awards welcomed over 70 professionals and senior decision makers from a wide range of sectors.  

Hosted by LinkedIn top voice and founder of Electric Vehicles Outlook Roger Atkins, the awards kicked off with an opening keynote on the theme of safety and resilience by the Chair of SOE, Howard Seymour. 

By celebrating excellence in these areas, the SOE Safety and Resilience in Engineering Awards not only play a role by recognising their achievements, but they also act as a key identifier and focal point for improving future delivery, by achieving safer and more resilient sustainable engineering practices. This is not only vital for success but also allows us to strive for continuous process improvement and operational excellence!

Howard Seymour, SOE Chair

Followed by a three-course lunch, the awards presentation commenced with the announcement of our individual category winners.  

  • Environmental Engineer of the Year - Fuk Hung Wong CEng CEnv FSOE FIPlantE, Majestic Engineering Company Limited 
  • Road Transport Engineer of the Year - Peter Collins AMSOE MIRTE, Stagecoach 
  • Plant Engineer of the Year - Dr Bishnujee Singh FSOE FIPlantE, Cayley Aerospace Inc. 
  • Engineer Surveyor of the Year - Peter Jacobs EngTech MSOE MBES, Zurich Engineering 
  • Future Leader - Flavia Popescu FAPM CMgr FCMI EngTech Babcock International Group 
  • Safety Specialist of the Year - Dr Veera Kumar Mohan CEng MSOE MIPlantE Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute 

SOE’s new Executive Director Emma Thompson then delivered an inspiring talk celebrating the good work of the professional engineers and innovative engineering businesses that make our society.  

What lies at the heart of SOE is not just a commitment to standards or best practices—although those are essential—but a dedication to empowering the people behind these roles. It’s the engineers and technicians responsible for maintenance, operations, and safety who bring expertise, passion, and purpose to their work every single day.

Emma Thompson
Executive Director, SOE

Emma’s speech concluded with the announcement of two SOE awards, Volunteer of the Year and Region of the Year. 

Volunteer of the Year was shared by:  

  • Mike Ponsonby MSOE MIPlantE MIRTE M. J. Ponsonby Ltd 
  • George Haywood EngTech FSOE FIRTE, AO 

The SOE Region of the Year went to IRTE Ireland North. 

The company award categories, focusing on innovation and innovation went to: 

  • Engineering Company of the Year - Bureau Technical Inspection Services 
  • Safety Innovation of the Year - Roller Brake Test Accreditation 
  • People Development Champion - Stagecoach East 

The most anticipated award of the day was the Helix award title, recognising organisations or leadership that has demonstrated resilience during times of adversity. For her excellence in engineering, and for showcasing resilience, ethical leadership, future vision and impact beyond her organisation, Flavia Popescu took home her second award of the day winning the Helix award.  

SOE’s Membership and Professional Standards Lead, Robin Bates delivered the closing keynote on mentorship, launching the SOE’s new mentoring scheme at the event.  

In line with our commitment to professional development, SOE is launching a brand-new mentoring platform. This platform will connect engineers at all stages of their careers, enabling the exchange of knowledge, experience, and support. It offers our members a valuable opportunity to engage, learn, and grow—both personally and professionally. With over 70 engineers already expressing interest in becoming mentors, we are excited to see the positive impact this platform will have on our community.

Robin Bates
Membership and Professional Standards Lead, SOE

The event concluded by honoring SOE’s long-standing supporter and trustee board member Ian Macdonald with his Honorary Fellowship.  

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