The winners of the Wales STEM Awards 2024 have been announced at a prestigious awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Lucy Owen.
The Wales STEM Awards 2024 celebrated the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations to STEM in Wales. Amongst the winners, Pocket Potions, a Monmouthshire-based company specialising in creating educational science kits for children, won the STEM Start-Up of the Year award. The company was recognised for its innovative approach to engaging young learners with fun, hands-on science experiments that inspire curiosity in STEM subjects.
The 2024 awards ceremony, which took place at the Mercure Holland House Hotel, celebrated outstanding achievements in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), recognising trailblazing individuals and organisations driving innovation and making significant contributions to the sector in Wales.
Hilary Lappin-Scott OBE was recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to STEM Award for her lifelong commitment to advancing science and supporting the growth of the STEM community in Wales and beyond. A distinguished microbiologist, Lappin-Scott has significantly influenced the STEM landscape through her leadership, mentorship, and advocacy for gender equality in science.
The ceremony brought together finalists from across Wales to compete in 15 categories, ranging from STEM Start-Up of the Year to Innovation in STEM.
2024 Wales STEM Awards Winners:
- STEM Woman of the Year: Claire Jenkins from The Intellectual Property Office, honoured for her pioneering work in STEM advocacy and intellectual property rights.
- STEM Ambassador of the Year: Sharon Pascoe of Fochriw Primary School, recognised for her dedication to inspiring young minds in STEM fields.
- STEM Educational Programme (Not-for-Profit): Together Making Futures: Mullany e-Mentoring programme by The Mullany Fund, which supports young people in their pursuit of STEM careers.
- STEM Educational Programme (Public Sector): Blaenau Gwent STEM Facilitation Project by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, which has been pivotal in enhancing STEM education in the community.
- STEM Educational Programme (Private Sector): Destination Renewables, a collaborative project between EDF Renewables UK and DP Energy, which focuses on educating the next generation on renewable energy technologies.
- STEM Team of the Year: Ipsen Biopharm, celebrated for their collaborative approach and innovative projects in the biopharmaceutical industry.
- Innovation in STEM Award: HydroWing, applauded for their cutting-edge solutions in renewable energy technology.
- STEM Rising Star of the Year: Georgia Cox of Tata Steel UK, recognised for her remarkable contributions to engineering and STEM leadership at a young age.
- STEM Start-up of the Year: Pocket Potions, recognised for inspiring the next generation to have a passion for STEM.
- STEM Company of the Year (Over 50 Employees): Ipsen Biopharm, honoured for their excellence in driving STEM growth and impact in the larger business sector.
- STEM Company of the Year (Under 50 Employees): Antiverse, recognised for their innovative work in AI-driven drug discovery.
- STEM Research Project of the Year: University of South Wales for its groundbreaking project on sustainable and slow-release organic silicon fertilisers (SIFER).
- STEM International Business of the Year: Wales Interactive, a leader in the gaming industry with a strong international presence.
- STEM Sustainability Award: Pontus Research, celebrated for their commitment to sustainable aquaculture practices.
In addition to the main winners, several entries were highly commended for their outstanding contributions:
- STEM Woman of the Year: Andrea Meyrick of Techniquest.
- STEM Team of the Year: Coleg Gwent.
- Innovation in STEM Award: Thermetrix, noted for their innovative approaches in wearable technology.
- STEM Research Project of the Year: University of South Wales for its research on the impact of recurrent concussions in rugby union.
- STEM Start-Up of the Year: ARCHIV3D, recognised for its pioneering work in 3D printing solutions.
The Wales STEM Awards continue to shine a spotlight on the remarkable work being done within the STEM sector, addressing challenges such as the skills shortage and the need for greater diversity. The awards not only celebrate innovation but also inspire the next generation of STEM professionals in Wales.
Co-Founder of Wales STEM Awards, Liz Brookes, said:
“It’s incredible to see the impact that our winners and finalists are having. They are not just excelling in their fields but are also paving the way for the future of STEM in Wales.”
Matthew Taylor, Director of Innovation at Cardiff Metropolitan University, headline sponsor of the awards, congratulated the winners:
“We are thrilled to see the incredible achievements of this year’s winners and finalists at the Wales STEM Awards. Their dedication, creativity, and innovation are not only driving the STEM sector forward but also inspiring future generations. At Cardiff Met, we are proud to support such talent and to play a role in fostering a thriving STEM community in Wales. Congratulations to all those who are making a real impact in their fields.”
The Wales STEM Awards are jointly organised by Grapevine Event Management and communications agency jamjar and are supported by Cardiff Metropolitan University, CSA Catapult, edx Medical, XMA Ltd, and Business News Wales.
For a full list of winners and more information, visit www.stemawards.wales.
