EDITOR’S CHOICE
RECOGNISING FUTURE TALENT
EEF
STARS CELEBRATED AT MANUFACTURING
NATIONAL AWARD CEREMONY
Leading manufacturers and talented
apprentices from across the UK were
recognised as national manufacturing
champions at the EEF Future Manufacturing
Awards held in London.
The biggest winner on the night was Paxman,
winning the Manufacturer of the Year award
– a title awarded to the most outstanding
company amongst all the category winners.
The firm, a Huddersfield-based manufacturer
of scalp cooling systems, used to reduce
chemotherapy-induced hair loss received
recognition in the Innovation Award. Judges
were impressed with different business
models that Paxman employed for different
international markets, according to local
contexts and highly regulated environment.
The judging panel said “This innovation
displayed huge impact in terms of social and
health benefits. It was multi-dimensional from
finance, product development and service
delivery.”
Judges were also won over by Tobias Cowan,
aged 21, an engineering apprentice at
HepcoMotion, a Tiverton based manufacturer
of linear motion systems and automation
components. The accolade came after he had
battled his way through regional heats to
make it through to the national finals. Tobias’
passion, hard work and attention to detail,
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along with his ambitions for a teaching role
within the sector were the deciding factors for
the judging panel.
Joining Tobias on the podium was Heather
Johnson, a business procurement apprentice
at BAE Systems, who was crowned Business
Apprentice of the Year. She was named the
winner after impressing judges with her bold
approach as she looked to integrate real-life
experience and skills into the work place.
Winners were selected by a panel of judges
drawn from business leaders, industry
experts and academics and was up against
tough competition from a range of dynamic
businesses, small and large, from across the
UK.
Richard Paxman, Managing Director at
Paxman, says: “To be recognised as a leading
manufacturer across the UK is fantastic.
I’m thrilled with both the innovation and
manufacturer of the year awards as everyone
within the business has contributed. To be
able to provide our product across the globe
really pleases me as I know what we do makes
a huge difference to people in particularly
tough times. We’re all delighted to have won.”
Tobias Cowan, apprentice at HepcoMotion,
says: “This is a massive honour – I can’t
believe I’ve won. It’s such a wonderful way
to crown what has been a fantastic year of
my apprenticeship. Being an apprentice has
given me the best start to my career, I’ve
developed so much and winning this tops it
all off. I’m absolutely thrilled to win”.
Heather Johnson, Business Procurement
Apprentice at BAE Systems, says: “I am
absolutely thrilled to have won this award
and to have been crowned national winner.
It’s an amazing feeling to be recognised for
doing something I genuinely enjoy and is
setting me up for my future.”
Other award winners announced on the night
were:
Engineering Apprentice: Tobias Cowan,
HepcoMotion
Business Apprentice: Heather Johnson, BAE
Systems
Leadership: Peter Tack, Lander Automotive
Ltd
Developing Future Talent: AESSEAL
Health and Safety: Advanced Insulation
Sustainability: Eurocell plc
Business Growth and Strategy: Paxman
Innovation: Surface Measurement Systems Ltd
For more information about the
awards visit: www.eef.org.uk/awards