All the winners together - at the 2025 AFBE-UK Gala & Awards - Pictures by Rory Raitt

The winners at the AFBE-UK Gala and Awards have been revealed at P&J Live in Aberdeen.

Nelson Ogunshakin OBE was honoured with the distinguished Special Appreciation Award.

Winner of the Special Appreciation Award,  Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE  FREng

Nelson is a highly successful business leader and engineer who has held senior international positions across the infrastructure and consulting sectors. Renowned for advancing global standards, he has championed diversity, strategic collaboration and excellence in engineering and professional services worldwide.

Other winners on the night themed Tapestry of Impact included Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee - Engineering Delivery Lead, BAE Systems who won STEM Champion of the Year and Georgia Thompson, Design Manager, Costain, who was named Young BME Professional of the Year.

Special Appreciation Award (L-R) Sylvia Hampartumian (Royal Academy of Engineering), Winner Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE FREng, his wife Helen, Dr Ollie Folayan MBE (AFBE-UK), Mark Ewen (Mott MacDonald)

Dr Ollie Folayan MBE, co-founder and co-chair of AFBE-UK, said: 
“What an incredible evening celebrating so many inspiring stories of impact. The quality of entries this year was exceptional – congratulations to all our finalists and winners.

"Our heartfelt thanks also go to the organisations that sponsored the event and awards. Your continued support is vital to our ongoing work in advancing diversity across all sectors. This year’s theme, “The Tapestry of Impact,” speaks to the power of collective action - how every individual thread contributes to a larger, more beautiful narrative. It’s a tribute to the diverse voices and efforts that shape the engineering and energy sectors for the better.”

AFBE-UK supports young people, particularly those black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds, in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Through a mix of in-person and online initiatives, it has engaged  thousands of pupils, students and graduates nationwide.

Entertainment from the Velvet Tones

More than 600 people were there to join in the celebrations in an evening of entertainment that also raised funds for the International Justice Mission, a charity that exists to protect people in poverty from violence. The headline sponsors of the awards was the Royal Academy of Engineering. Bechtel, Peterson Logistics, Fugro, ECITB, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, UK Power Networks, the Net Zero Technology Centre, Scottish Enterprise, Yokogawa and Enginuity were also sponsors. 

WINNERS

STEM Champion of the Year, sponsored by Wood plc

• Dr Chika Judith Abolle-Okoyeagu - Associate Professor and Head of Postgraduate Studies, RGU Finalist 
• Donna Otchere - Director, SiSTEM UK Finalist 
• Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee - Engineering Delivery Lead, BAE Systems - Winner 

Young BME Professional of the Year, sponsored by Leonardo

• Cynthia Okwosha - Geotechnical Engineer, Mott MacDonald
• Chinwe Odili - UK Innovation Lead, Kent
• Georgia Thompson - Design Manager, Costain Group - Winner 

Mentor of the Year, sponsored by AspenTech

• Miguel Cabrera Vivas - Service Recovery Programme Manager, Heathrow Airport
• Timi Adegunwa - Cyber Risk Manager, Wood Mackenzie - Winner 
• Edwin Ehiorobo - Digital Delivery and Innovation Consultant, EA Technology

BME Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Shell

• Tendayi Munyebvu - Director, Amentum - Highly Commended 
• Dr Anusha Shah - Senior Global Director - Climate, Water and Nature for Arcadis- Winner 
• Sharon Rose - Director, Arup

Company of the Year, sponsored by Oceaneering      

Babcock International- Winner 
Mott MacDonald - Highly Commended
Leonardo                

Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by SLB

Abhishek Bhatia - IDEA - Winner 
Shiladitya Ghosh - Mission Zero Technologies
Dr Muhammad Sadiq - Active Needle Technology

Ethnicity ERG of the year, sponsored by Harbour Energy

People of Ethnic Minorities (POEMs) - Royal Academy of Engineering
Ethnicity Inclusion Network - Leonardo - Winner
Harambe - Jacobs

Special Appreciation Award, sponsored by Mott MacDonald, 
Dr Nelson Ogunshakin OBE FREng - Winner 

Volunteer of the Year presented by Royal Academy of Engineering 
Malcolm Kazimil - Winner 

The gala, held biennially in Scotland since 2012, remains a leading networking event for business leaders, government representatives, professionals, students, academics, and organisations championing diversity and careers in STEAM.

Entries were open to all individuals and UK-registered companies across the engineering and related sectors. Recognised as a prestigious platform for professional achievement, the awards celebrate excellence, inspire the next generation, and encourage continued progress across the industry.

AFBE-UK's programmes include NextGen, where professionals mentor school pupils; Transition, which helps graduates and aspiring engineers enter the workplace; and Real Projects, a forum for industry experts to share knowledge and experience with emerging professionals.

AFBE-UK is based in London, while AFBE-UK Scotland has a strong presence in Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: AFBE UK