Electronics Weekly, in partnership with RS Components, is proud to announce the EW BrightSparks selected for 2020 – congratulations to all those selected.

Once again we were surprised by the ingenuity, resourcefulness and commitment shown by the record number of entrants nominated for an EW BrightSparks award. It made the final selection process so difficult for our industry selection panel.

Now in its fourth year, the aim of the programme is to highlight the range of talent of among young electronics engineers in the UK, and to encourage more young people to enter the industry.

Note that there is no single ‘winner’ – we celebrate the whole cohort and, as always, there is a broad range of entries. Some are already making big impressions in the electronics industry, some are successfully cutting their entrepreneurial teeth and some are getting involved with cutting edge electronics research.

“It always astonishes me that our emerging generation of design engineers is able to balance the challenges they face in their careers and yet find the time to volunteer for STEM initiatives and help with community projects,” said Electronics Weekly’s group editor, Clive Couldwell.

Isabella Mascarenhas, the vice president of Grass Roots & Shining Stars at RS Components, has been involved since the early days of EW BrightSparks, along with Lindsley Ruth, the CEO of RS Components.

She told us:

“I’ve had the privilege of being on the BrightSparks judging panel since its inception and every year, it just gets better. This was the toughest year to judge so far, due to a record number of high quality entries.”

“What struck me more than ever before is how these inspiring young people are using their technical skills for the betterment of society, the environment and people’s lives. It’s heartening and exciting to see the innovations that are making amazing things happen.”

So, without more ado, here is the full list of 2020 EW BrightSparks.

• Jordan Albutt, Manufacturing Leadership Engineering Degree Apprentice, Rolls-Royce / University of Warwick
• Aakash Bansal, PhD Electrical Electronic and System Engineering, Loughborough University
• Ben Cartwright, Spacecraft Electronics/Systems Engineer, STFC and Citadel Space Systems
• Rodosthenis Charalampous, Industrial PhD Researcher / Electrical and Electronic Engineering, National Nuclear Laboratory / The University of Manchester
• Nicole Cox, Graduate Engineer, Siemens Rail Infrastructure
• Yanislav Donchev, MSc Artificial Intelligence, University of Southampton
• Lauren Gray, Development Scientist, Peratech Holdco
• Anna Hart, Graduate Electronics Engineer, Leonardo
• James Imber, Senior Research Engineer, Imagination Technologies
• Dominic Lane, PhD student, Lancaster University
• Cheng Hao Lim, MEng Electronics and Electrical Engineering, University of Edinburgh
• Marnie McKay, Graduate Engineer, Atkins
• James Morris, CEO, Intelliroller
• Grant Mullen, Founder, Managing Director, Ai Automation
• Zain Nazar, Digital & Technological Solutions Degree Apprentice (Software Developer/Engineer), BT
• Tom O’Brien, TV and Digital Media Apprentice, BT
• Amber O’Connor, Engineering Programme Manager for Remote Diagnostic Services, Siemens Aeroderivative Gas Turbines
• Olivia Ojuroye, Product Specialist, The Wearable Tech Hub
• Gethn Pickard, Graduate Engineer, Plessey Semiconductors Ltd
• Luke Richards, MEng Mechanical Engineering, University of South Wales
• Katherine Scott, TV & Digital Media Degree Apprentice, BT
• Andy Tay Kah Ping, Research Fellow, Imperial College London
• Elvis Tinago, Student / MEng Aerospace Engineering, University of West of England Bristol
• Alexander Tomlinson, Lead Analytical Measurement and Equipment Engineer, Jaguar Land Rover
• James Veale, Mechanical Engineer (Ice Core Drilling), British Antarctic Survey
• Kyle Walker, Phd Student Underwater Robotics, University of Edinburgh
• Ying Wan Loh, Manufacturing engineer, Rolls-Royce plc, University of Cambridge
• Tyler Ward, Senior Engineer, Audioscenic
• Adam Wilson, Embedded Electronics Engineer, Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) UK
• James Zaremba, BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Swansea University

Thank you to everyone who entered for the EW BrightSparks programme, including those not listed here. The standard for 2020 was exceptionally high this year, so many excellent candidates did not make this shortlist.

To read fuller profiles of the winners, head over to our main EW BrightSparks landing page, to which we will gradually add individual profile pages for each of the winners.

The Awards

What about the EW BrightSparks Awards ceremony?

Due to the present healthcare restrictions, we don’t have any firm news yet, but we will keep monitoring the situation and update everyone as soon as is possible, when the Covid-19 situation becomes clearer. Stay tuned!.

Selection panel

The selection panel for 2020 was full of industry expertise, with members from a range of different segments of the industry. Thank you to all of them all for their deliberations, insights and time.

• Clive Couldwell, group editor at Electronics Weekly
• Graham Curren, CEO of Sondrel
• Nike Folayan MBE, associate director at WSP)
• Peter Hannon, managing director of Harting
• Isabella Mascarenhas, vice president for grass roots and shining stars at RS Components
• Lindsley Ruth, CEO at RS Components
• Frederik Schulze Spüntrup, president of European Young Engineers
• Lizzie Truett, IET’s young professionals’ engagement manager)

ur associates

We would also like to thank our associate supporting companies, which help to promote the EW BrightSparks programme and its aims.

• Harting
• TRACO Power
• TE Connectivity
• UK Electronics Skills Foundation