Entry and judging criteria

We are looking for inspiring adults, who are early into their career in the water and environment sector, and are working hard to help protect our environment.

Candidates must have their entry supported by their employer (usually line manager), or via a CIWEM Branch or Group. Candidates must be at the start of their career – with 5 years or less industry experience. You don’t need to be a CIWEM member to apply.

Each candidate will be assessed by a panel of judges including representatives of CIWEM and Jacobs, as well as independent suitably qualified individuals. In the first instance, judging will be based on the nomination form, according to the following criteria:

• Contribution made to environmental awareness and understanding

• Work the nominee has carried out outside their normal remit
• Qualifications and career progression

The judges’ decision on all matters relating to the competition is final.

Previous Winners

Vyvyan Evans - 2018 Winner

Vyvyan Evans is the winner of the 2018 award. After working as an environmental engagement officer for the London School of Economics, and volunteering with a number of charities on Environmental and Humanitarian Response projects, Vyvyan was inspired to undertake an MSc in in water security and sustainable development. She aims to simplify environmental messages and empower people to take action through her social enterprise projects and role as a STEM ambassador.

Matthew Jack – 2017 Winner

Matthew Jack won the 2017 award. He has been working with Engineers for Overseas Development since November 2014, raising over £60,000 to build a sustainably constructed medical centre in Uganda. He has also been working with Chartered CIWEM members to set up a CIWEM group providing mentoring and mutual support to new CIWEM Chartership candidates. His latest project is an initiative to mobilise his local community and politicians to restore a local nature reserve in his local area of Manchester.

Helen Allister – 2016 Winner

Helen Allister was the winner of the 2016 Young Environmentalist of the Year Award. Helen, who works as a team leader in Northumbrian Water Group’s (NWG) wastewater operations team, joined the company’s graduate scheme as a mature student in 2012 after completing a degree in Biology at Newcastle University. She has quickly progressed within NWG and has lead on major projects, whilst championing her passion for protecting water resources and the environment across the organisation.

Alex Nicholson – 2015 Winner

Dr Alex Nicholson received the 2015 Young Environmentalist of the Year Award. Alex, an Environmental Engineer at international consultancy Arup, completed a PhD in Natural Flood Management at Newcastle University, and has continued to develop and champion Natural Flood Management from within Arup. Alex has been involved in a long-term part time secondment to the Environment Agency, in addition to developing and delivering an assessment tool, design guide and training courses with organisations including Natural Resources Wales and the River Restoration Centre.