IGEM honours outstanding contribution and innovation across the gas industry
Each year, IGEM presents a series of medals and institutional honours recognising outstanding achievement, technical excellence, innovation and service across the gas industry. With some of these awards dating back more than a century, they continue to celebrate the individuals and Sections making a lasting impact on the profession and helping to shape the future of energy.
This year’s recipients represent excellence across engineering, innovation, leadership, mentorship and member engagement, reflecting the breadth of talent and dedication within the industry.
Past President Medal: Nicola Evans
IGEM was delighted to present the Past President Medal to Nicola Evans in recognition of her service as IGEM President from 2025-2026.
A long-standing IGEM member and active volunteer, Nicola has made a significant contribution to the Institution through her involvement across several committees, particularly the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Group. During her presidency, she championed the theme Pushing the Boundaries, focusing on inclusion, innovation and preparing the industry for the future energy transition.
Nicola represented IGEM across a wide range of events throughout her term, promoting the value of the Institution and supporting a more inclusive and sustainable future for the industry.
Bronze Young Person Medal: William Starling
The 2025 Bronze Young Person Medal has been awarded to William Starling, Design and Construction Engineer at Cadent, for his presentation on EcoVENT - a low-emission solution for commissioning new gas mains.
Following success in the IGEM London, Southern and Eastern regional heat, William went on to win the IGEM YPPC with his presentation on the award-winning EcoVENT project. Developed in response to the challenge of reducing operational methane emissions, the solution can reduce emissions by up to 99.5% while avoiding significant operational costs.
William was recognised not only for the technical quality of his work, but also for his ability to communicate a complex subject in an engaging and accessible way.
Bronze Technical Medal: Shota Kawashima
The Bronze Technical Medal has been awarded to Shota Kawashima, Deputy General Manager at Osaka Gas Co Ltd, for his paper Initiatives for Carbon Neutrality by Osaka Gas - Technologies Development of Synthetic Methane “e-methane” presented at the 2025 IGEM Annual Conference.
Shota’s work focuses on hydrogen production, biogas upgrading technologies and the development of low-carbon energy systems. His contribution highlighted the growing role of synthetic methane and renewable gases in supporting global decarbonisation.
Bronze Innovation Medal: Vikram Singh
The 2025 Bronze Innovation Medal has been awarded to Vikram Singh, Head of Renewable Gas Development at Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), for his paper Renewable Hydrogen Production - AGIG’s Story presented at the 2025 Policy Conference.
Vikram has played a leading role in developing renewable hydrogen and biomethane projects that support decarbonisation across gas distribution networks and advance innovation in renewable gas infrastructure.
Bronze Member Medal - Tim Roff
The Bronze Member Medal has been awarded to Tim Roff, Head of Technical Consultancy - Energy Transition at United Infrastructure, for his presentation Infrastructure: The Critical Role of CCUS in the UK Energy Transition and the Future of Gas.
A Chartered Engineer with more than 30 years of industry experience, Tim has contributed extensively across engineering, safety, infrastructure and energy transition projects, including nationally significant hydrogen and carbon capture schemes. He has also been a longstanding contributor to IGEM standards and technical groups.
Committee Member of the Year: Jodie McEvoy
IGEM’s 2025 Committee Member of the Year award has been presented to Jodie McEvoy of Wales & West Utilities.
Since joining the IGEM Welsh Section Committee in 2023, Jodie has played a key role in delivering technical events, webinars, networking initiatives and professional development activities. Her leadership as Section Chair during 2024-2025, alongside her dedication to inclusion and member engagement, has had a lasting impact on the Section and its members.
IGEM Section Trophy: IGEM North West Section
The IGEM Section Trophy for 2025 has been awarded to the IGEM North West Section in recognition of an outstanding year of member engagement, wellbeing initiatives and charitable fundraising.
Highlights included a successful wellbeing challenge on Winter Hill, a record-breaking Christmas Lunch fundraiser and consistently strong social media engagement, reflecting the Section’s commitment to inclusivity, community impact and future development.
Sir Denis Rooke Memorial Medal: Hilary Buxton
IGEM’s highest honour, the Sir Denis Rooke Memorial Medal for Lifetime Service and Achievement, has been awarded to Hilary Buxton, Director of Engineering at Cadent.
Since joining the gas industry in 1986, Hilary has built a distinguished career spanning operations, engineering, safety, asset management and future energy development. As Cadent’s Chief Engineer, she has led the transformation of the company’s engineering framework while championing innovation in hydrogen and net zero solutions.
Alongside her technical leadership, Hilary has made a profound contribution to IGEM and the wider industry through mentoring, professional development, standards leadership and advocacy for diversity in engineering.
IGEM congratulates all recipients on their achievements and thanks them for their continued dedication, leadership and contribution to the future of the gas industry.