​Ariane Brotto - 2020 Winner

Ariane Coelho Brotto, Principal Carbon and Energy Consultant at Jacobs, began her environmentalist journey inspired by the natural beauty of her home town Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Having studied Environmental and Atmospheric Chemistry both in Rio and in Toronto, Ariane grasped the opportunity to lead on pioneering investigations in greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment. After finishing her PhD in Environmental Engineering at Columbia University in New York City, Ariane joined the Energy and Resource Recovery team in the largest water utility in the USA. Ariane’s passion to create a better environment is very evident from a number of roles which have included: Adjunct Professor at Columbia University; co-leading an international task force on low-carbon utilities; mentoring young women in STEAM; advising students on environmental engineering and sanitation challenges in an innovation hub in Brazil and at Imperial College; co-creating in-depth technical workshops on circular economy for the Amsterdam International Water Week; producing thought leadership content, including a book chapter on greenhouse gas accounting for the water sector. Ariane has impressed the judges with all her achievements in as little as just over 4 years and is currently joining CIWEM’s Wastewater and Biosolids Panel, and working towards becoming a Chartered Member of CIWEM and supporting colleagues on the same journey.

Thomas Fudge - 2019 Winner

Thomas Fudge demonstrated a passion for environmental wellbeing both in his application and presentation. Whilst undertaking his PhD, Thomas also founded the company WASE Ltd, whose mission is to provide safe, affordable wastewater treatment, solving the global sanitation crisis by reducing the cost of wastewater treatment. He has won a number of awards for his research and hard work including the Santander University Entrepreneur of the Year.

Read more

Vyvyan Evans - 2018 Winner

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 Evans 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 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, 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, 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.