Tees Valley shines at annual awards

The NEPIC Young Achiever award winners from left to right; Craig Hooper, CF Fertilisers UK; Lynsey Watson, Aesica Pharmaceuticals; Elaine Falconer, Amec Foster Wheeler & Stephen Anderson, Absolute Antibody.

The 9th North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) awards night saw 14 awards presented to the region’s brightest talents.

Highlights included Tiffany Connor, from Billingham-based Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnology, winning one of three apprentice of the year titles.

The first year production technologist apprentice works within the microbial manufacturing department but she also eagerly volunteered for further work including support for regional careers events.

She was praised for making a significant impact, progressing beyond expectation and being a great role model for other local young people.

Craig Hooper, of CF Fertilisers UK in Billingham, won a young achiever title. He is responsible for the operation of the UK’s largest ammonia production plant and is a STEM ambassador.

Lynsey Watson, of Aesica Pharmaceuticals, from Billingham-based Biochemica, was another young achiever winner.

So was Sandra Roundtree, sales manager at Biochemica UK, also Billingham, after relocating from rural Northern Ireland.

Chemoxy International, based in Middlesbrough and Billingham, won the small and medium enterprise title, after being described as an SME which punches above its weight.