Award winners 2023
STEM Champion of the year
Dr Urenna Vivian Adegbotolu
NextGen Programme Co-ordinator,
AFBE-UK
Dr Urenna Vivian Adegbotolu is an Environmental Sustainability
professional. Her role within the Aberdeen City Council Climate and Environment Policy Service includes collaborating with staff and other stakeholders to = develop and embed the principles and practices of sustainability in their services, and ensuring environmental compliance across the Council, the City and Beyond.
She is a Board member of Association For Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers and the Programme Lead for the AFBE-UK NextGen STEM Programme aimed at increasing the participation of young people between 8 – 17 years in STEM. She leads an amazing team of STEM professionals who inspire young people to have an interest in STEM careers and make a positive difference by becoming future STEM professionals, inventors, innovators and investors. With the collaboration of team members and other stakeholders, she organises the NextGen school STEM outreaches, online STEM events, coding club, First LEGO league tournaments participation, work placements, mentoring and grant applications.
She is passionate about inspiring the next generation to understand and take advantage of the application of STEM in their daily lives, their future careers and building their confidence to be the best version of themselves. She is also an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion champion, a conflict mediator and peace negotiator.
Young BME Professional of the Year
Mohammad Taher
The Airport Guy | DfT Aviation Ambassador | International Keynote Speaker | Educational Content Creator
Mohammad, widely known as ‘The Airport Guy,’ is a resilient and influential aerospace engineer and community advocate who defied early discouragement to become a beacon of hope and inspiration.
As an engineering specialist at Heathrow Airport, he has not only excelled in his professional role but has also built a thriving online community, using it to empower individuals, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, to explore careers in aviation and engineering while embracing their faith and identity. His positive impact extends beyond his online presence, as he delivers workshops and talks across the UK. Furthermore, he has earned recognition on television and in esteemed aviation magazines and has inspired countless young talents to pursue careers in the industry. Mohammad’s journey from a young dreamer to an inspirational figure is a testament to his unwavering dedication and innovation.
Mentor of the Year
Nike Amiaka is an experienced Safety engineering consultant working in the energy sector. For over 23 years, Nike has provided safety and risk management across various sectors from railways to battery energy storage.
She has executed high-hazard major capital projects up to the value of $40bn in the EMEA and North America regions at FEED and EPC project phases, working in operator, PMC, and Contractor engineer roles. She is a Chartered Chemical Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, and a technical member of IOSH. Mentoring of female and minority ethnic early career professionals and returners is very important to Nike. Nike believes these groups have a lot to offer industry and academia, but just need a helping hand to reach their full potential.
BME Leader of the year
Amitoj Singh
Operations Director,
Ethical Power Connections
Amitoj Singh was recently appointed as Managing Director of Ethical Power Connections Ltd, an electrical and civil contracting firm operating in the renewables industry. Ami is an energy industry professional with over 18 years of experience. Over his career he has worked for Genesis Energy in New Zealand; SSE, Metso Outotec, Balfour Beatty and Ethical Power Connections Ltd in the UK. Ami has presented at over 35 conferences predominantly on electrical asset management from 2008 to 2021. Ami is a chartered engineer, a Professional Registration Advisor and a Fellow of the IET. He is an ordinary member on the IET Council, mentor at Aberdeen Young Professionals, Non-Executive Director at Zero Waste Scotland, a Board member at Lintel Trust and Streetfit Scotland, and with the leadership group on the Association for Black and Ethnic Engineers Scotland (AFBE). Ami holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical), Masters in Business Administration (Distinction) and Diploma in Asset Management.
Company of the Year
Bechtel Corporation is a global leader in engineering, construction, and project management, operating in over 50 countries across six continents. Founded in 1898, the company has delivered numerous complex projects worldwide. Bechtel’s services encompass engineering, procurement, construction, and project management across various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, mining and metals, nuclear, security, and environmental. The company emphasizes its commitment to excellence, safety, and innovation in all its endeavors.
Internally, Bechtel fosters an inclusive workplace through various Business Resource Groups (BRGs) that support diverse communities within the company. These BRGs include B-BOLD for the Black community, B-FAMILIA for the Latinx community, B-PROUD for LGBTQ+ employees, and Women@Bechtel for female colleagues, among others. In 2023, the company introduced Boundless@Bechtel, a BRG dedicated to disability inclusion, empowering individuals with visible and invisible disabilities, their families, and caregivers.