Big night for IChemE president at First Women Awards

Some of the UK’s most inspirational trailblazers were named “First Women” at a glittering ceremony in London on 12 June 2013. The awards were a big night for female engineers, including the Institution of Chemical Engineers’ (IChemE) president, Judith Hackitt.

Judith, who is chair of the Health and Safety Executive, triumphed in the First Woman in Manufacturing category. Describing her as a “natural communicator and inspirational speaker”, judges felt she was a clear winner for “probably doing more to promote manufacturing and the manufacturing industry in the UK than any other woman.”

The First Woman in Tourism and Leisure Award went to Dawn Elson, the first female head of engineering at Gatwick Airport. Dawn was presented with the honour for her outstanding career throughout which she become the first female flight commander on the aero-engine repair and overhaul facility, 8 Squadron as well as the first female engineering officer on the 216 Squadron.

Jane Wernick, director, Jane Wernick Associates, won First Woman of the Built Environment. After becoming the first female structural engineer at Arup, Jane worked on some notable projects including the construction of the Millennium Wheel. An innovator in her field, she founded her own firm in 1998 and is also an internationally renowned lecturer.

Joanna Kennedy, director, global leader of programme and project management at Arup, took the First Woman in Engineering prize. Her inspiring career has spanned more than 40 years, throughout which she has worked on a number of major engineering projects.

Held at the London Marriott, Grosvenor Square, UK, the event was hosted by sports personality and broadcaster Clare Balding. Now in their eighth year, the First Women Awards were created by Real Business and the CBI to recognise trailblazing women.