At the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM), our network of nine regional Sections—spanning the UK and the Far East—offers gas professionals valuable opportunities to share industry insights, expand technical knowledge, and build strong professional networks. Run by dedicated volunteers, each Section hosts events, seminars, and activities tailored to the needs of local members and the wider gas community.
In addition to our regional presence, IGEM also supports two key specialist groups: the Company Member Section, designed to serve the interests of our corporate partners, and the Young Persons Network (YPN), which empowers and connects the next generation of engineers, technicians, and energy professionals.
Whether you're an experienced industry leader or just starting your career, IGEM's Sections provide the perfect platform to engage with peers, stay informed, and play a part in shaping the future of gas engineering.
Irish Section
The Irish Section covers Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, hosting events in Belfast, Dublin and Cork. Key themes of our events include: the activities of the gas network operators in Ireland and renewable sources of energy.
Chair: John McCorry
John is a Senior Design Engineer at Fingleton White. Since finishing university in 2009, he has worked within the natural gas sector in Northern Ireland, holding previous roles as a construction supervisor and Senior Engineer for a distribution network operator. John joined Fingleton White in 2024 and is responsible for the design and management of projects in the gas distribution network sector, from conceptual phase through to project completion.
Email: [email protected]
London, Southern & Eastern Section
A diverse region that includes the English capital and a large expanse of coastline, the London, Southern & Eastern Section offers a range of events including technical talks and tours to facilities such as the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the Isle of Grain.
Chair: Kieren Shipp
Kieren is the Customer Operation Manager for National Gas Services. Since leaving school, he has worked in the gas industry starting off as an apprentice undertaking mains replacement and diversions. Since starting in the industry, he has continuously sought opportunities for his personal development.
Email: [email protected]
Midlands Section
The Midlands Section has the largest number of IGEM members in its region, with the vast amount of IGEM comapany members being based in this area. This provides a great opportunity for technical visits and tours, as well as the chance to hear from industry experts at technical paper evenings.
Chair: Jayne Dawson
Jayne is an NEC4 Project manager and all-round solution finder specialising in delivering complex cyber and physical security projects at Cadent Gas. Starting her career as a Civil Engineer, Jayne added qualifications in Pipeline Integrity Management and is now completing an MSc in Engineering Leadership and Management. During her 15 years in the gas industry, she has held roles in Network Planning, Investment Planning, Pipeline Integrity and Capital Delivery.
Email: [email protected]
North East & Yorkshire Section
The North East & Yorkshire Section hosts a range of successful events and tours that review innovation and the future of gas, providing insight into the work on hydrogen taking place in the area and linking with Northern Gas Networks (NGN), operator of the gas distribution network in the region.
Chair: Emma Buckton
Emma Buckton is the Regional Inline Inspection Analysis Manager for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East at Baker Hughes, a leading name in the energy sector. With a strong background in gas distribution, data analysis, leadership, and cross-regional collaboration, Emma drives operational excellence and high-quality performance in pipeline integrity. She is a passionate advocate for STEM, actively supporting initiatives that inspire the next generation of talent in science and engineering. Emma is committed to fostering growth, empowering teams, and making a meaningful impact across the global energy landscape.
Email: [email protected]
North West Section
The North West Section host a series of events ranging from technical paper evenings with keynote speakers, to industry site visits across the region. Its popular Christmas lunch takes place the second week of December and is a great opportunity to network with colleagues from across the industry.
Chair: Mumtaz Patel
Mumtaz is an award winning, dynamic and motivated engineering professional with extensive experience in the Gas Industry. Her current role is Head of Operational Transition at Cadent. This involves strategically defining and framing the transition of Operations for a Hydrogen future. As a female, ethnic minority Muslim, Mumtaz is passionate about sharing her experiences and inspiring people by being a role model for young people.
Email: [email protected]
Scottish Section
The Scottish Section's event calendar provides a range of learning opportunities across Scotland. Our events cover a number of specialisms, and we like to vary the format by including paper evenings, showcase events, technical talks and social and networking events in our programme.
Chair: Gordon McMillan
Gordon is the Innovation Scouting and Discovery Lead at SGN, dedicated to developing new opportunities to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. A graduate of chemical engineering and business leadership, Gordon's mission is to help propel SGN forward through cutting-edge technology and strategic innovation, directly impacting the quality of life for communities.
Email: [email protected]
Far East District Section
The Far East District Section covers Hong Kong and China and is an extension of the Institution designed to support members by connecting them with fellow professionals and organisations working on the gas network within their geographical area.
Chair: Vincent Chow
Vincent is the Deputy Director of EMSD of the HKSAR Government and a Fellow of IGEM, IMechE and HKIE, with over 30 years of gas engineering experience. He led Hong Kong’s LPG vehicle scheme (2000), offshore LNG terminal with FSRU technology (2021), and hydrogen energy strategy (2022) by developing hydrogen-fuelled vehicle safety standards and conducting the first-ever QRA for their tunnel use. He is a Justice of the Peace and Chairman of HKIE’s Gas Discipline Advisory Panel
Email: [email protected]
South West Section
The South West Section host two showcase events a year, one in the spring and the other in the autumn. The events provide a great opportunity to hear from a range of industry speakers who will cover one particular theme at each event. These popular events also provide a wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues from across the industry.
Chair: Tony Wimpenny
Tony is the Director and co-founder of Bohr, established in 2022 to enable renewable gas production and utilisation through development and supply of blending, measurement and control technologies and solutions. Tony previously managed a leading gas systems integration company and has been in the gas industry for over 10 year's, prior to which he worked for several years in aerospace engineering. He serves on numerous gas quality forums in the UK, Europe and internationally, focussing on standards and implementation approaches for natural gas, biomethane, hydrogen and other related topics.
Email: [email protected]
Welsh Section
The Welsh Section’s activities include technical paper evenings and an interesting array of site visits to facilities across the country. We try to make the most of the variety of gas related facilities within Wales, such as the Cardiff Energy Recovery Facility, peaking plants and coke ovens. Our annual dinner takes place in the autumn and is a wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues from across the industry.
Chair: Thomas James
Thomas James has worked in the industry for 20 years starting at Wales & West Utilities Ltd in 2005. During this time, he has worked in several different business areas and reached the position of Distribution Asset Manager, in the Asset Management and HS&E department before leaving in 2022. He then moved to the Health & Safety Executive as a Specialist Pipelines Inspector and gained further experience both onshore and offshore.
Email: [email protected]
Young Persons Section
Members aged 35 and under are automatically assigned to our Young Persons Network (YPN) in addition to their local Section. Designed specifically to support individuals early in their career, the benefits of the YPN include: career mentorship, technical paper evenings, best practice industrial visits, opportunity to enter the annual YPPC Competition formally known as the Young Persons Paper Competition, networking with like-minded peers and social events.
Chair: Lewis Kirkwood
Lewis is the Innovation Manager for Northern Gas Networks, focussing on innovation projects that facilitate a fair and just energy systems transition. Working at Northern Gas Networks for almost 4 years, he has worked in various different roles within the business. Helping build a wide range of knowledge and understanding that can be used to better do the current role as well as help out those within the YPN.
Email: [email protected]
Company Members
The Company Member Section is designed to support the organisations affiliated to IGEM. Whether you’re a sole trader or large multinational corporation, our Section activities can help you raise the profile of your organisation, recruit talented individuals and develop the skills and expertise of your workforce enabling you to thrive and grow.
Chair: Matthew MacLennan
Matthew has a background in mechanical engineering, starting his career in motorsport and aviation, Matthew entered the gas industry a decade ago, delivering innovation projects at Steve Vick International. After winning the IGEM YPPC, Matthew has gone on to contribute to several IGEM working groups and committees before joining the IGEM Company Member's Section Committee. In the last two years Matthew has joined Bohr Limited as Director of Innovation, pioneering game changing technology that will enable the decarbonisation of gas. Matthew now represents IGEM on the BSI Gas Detector Committee as part of his continued efforts to drive improvement in quality and safety.
Email: [email protected]