The selection panel to decide the Class of 2020 for EW BrightSparks has made its decision, from among a large and excellent group of entries.

The programme is run in partnership with RS Components to highlight the talent of young electronics engineering in the UK. And thank you to one and all who took the time to enter and who made the final selection process so difficult, particularly this year as we saw a record number of entrants.

There was no escaping Covid-19, of course, but the scheduled meeting at RS Components’ Headquarters in Kings Cross was simply replaced by teleconferencing!

Selection

The panel, packed with industry know-how, had the unenviable task job of reducing the 64 nominations to a final 30 to make up the Class of 2020. It wasn’t easy or straightforward as skills and talent and altruism among the entries lived up to our high expectations.

The Judges comprised: Clive Couldwell (group editor, Electronics Weekly), Graham Curren (CEO, Sondrel), Dr Nike Folayan MBE (Associate Director, WSP), Peter Hannon (Managing Director, Harting), Isabella Mascarenhas (VP Grass Roots & Shining Stars, RS Components), Lindsley Ruth (CEO, RS Components), Dr. Frederik Schulze Spüntrup (president of the European Young Engineers) and Lizzie Truett (IET’s Young Professionals Engagement Manager). Thank you to them all for their deliberations, insights and time.

Clive CouldwellClive Couldwell hailed what was a very impressive crop of entries.

“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.”

For his part, Graham Curren saw the growth of the programme:

“It was very gratifying to see the number of young engineers entering Electronic Weekly‘s BrightSparks 2020 programme growing significantly year on year,” said Graham Curren. “This is particularly true at a time of unprecedented change with Covid 19 starting to impact us all, indeed this was the first year the judging panel had to meet remotely. Once again we had a very impressive field of talent and they provided a really convincing demonstration of the continuing ability of the UK design community to deliver world-class engineering for the years to come. Well done to our winners and to all those that took part.”

Other judges highlighted the quality of entrants – both their achievements and their altruism.

“Despite all what is going on around us I am delighted with the number and quality of this years entrants to Brightsparks,” said Peter Hannon. “The range of topics being researched and developed is hugely encouraging for the future skill sets of Engineers. Encouraging as well is the mix of mechanical and software in the young engineers, as well as apprenticeships.”

“The UK economy needs more balance and the Design Engineers of Tomorrow will play an important role in this.”

Frederik Schulze Spüntrup said:

“Heading the non-profit organization European Young Engineers gives me hope. Hope in the future of our society, because I believe that we educate and train a generation of problem solvers and global shapers. With challenges as the sustainable developments goals, natural disasters, climate change and global health issues ahead of us the society relies on young engineers. The applicants for the EW BrightSpaks ‘Class of 2020’ presented their achievements and their community engagement, despite many challenges they had personally to overcome. Some of the applications were really outstanding and I am looking forward to a bright future when society fosters and encourages young people to grow personally every day.”

Lizzie Truett said

“In my second year as a BrightSparks judge, I was once again blown away by the calibre of the applicants. To see young engineers achieve so much so early in their career and still have the time to volunteer in their communities or to promote STEM is incredible.”

We will be contacting the chosen EW BrightSparks next, and the members of the Class of 2020 will be made public following the main awards event itself, later this year.

Stay tuned for announcements about the EW BrightSparks 2020 Awards Day. And, of course, we shall be profiling the individuals in more detail from then onwards.