bp’s bright young stars
Some of BP’s most talented young technologists and apprentices have been presented with this year's Tallow Chandlers BP Awards for showing outstanding performance within the company and in their communities
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and for the first time in 43 years the awards were posted to the winners and handed out virtually by their line managers. The winner’s reactions and why they won are captured in this short video.
“In order to solve the world’s most complex problems, we need to be bold, creative and innovative. These young award winners are inspirational, demonstrating exciting ways in which they are helping to improve people’s lives and our planet. I have no doubt they will have a great impact in our industry and the world. Congratulations to everyone!” said Aleida.
A physical ceremony is looking to go-ahead in April 2021 at the Tallow Chandlers Livery Company in London where the candlestick technologist winner will be revealed.
Meet the apprentice winners
"I am thrilled to win such a prestigious award and am grateful that my hard work and commitment has been recognized. I would like to not only thank my friends and family at home, but also my offshore colleagues for all their help and support throughout my time with bp."
Joanie Mutch - Candlestick Winner - production technician - bp North Sea operations, UK
"I believe it’s important to inspire others whenever you can, therefore I enjoyed giving back within the local community. I always strive to do my best, and when I heard I won the Tallow Chandler Award it proved to me that hard work well and truly pays off."
Blair Haggarty – instrument technician - bp GOO - maintenance, UK
"Winning the tallow chandlers award means a lot to me. It’s proof that giving back and always striving to be your best can achieve great things."
Ben Ward – Instrument Technician - bp European acetyls - instrumentation, UK
"I am honoured and feel very humble to receive such a renowned award. It's my greatest achievement to date in my career. I look forward to continuing my hard work and develop my skills in an ever-changing industry as we transition."
Rhiannan Flaws – production technician - BP North Sea operations, UK
Meet the technologist winners
"This award has given me the opportunity to reflect on a subject that I am excited and passionate about: bringing science, engineering, and technology together to provide solutions to complex problems and improve our understanding of how things work. I feel extremely honoured and humbled to have been recognized by this award."
Ethan Perry – fixed equipment reliability mechanical engineer, maintenance and reliability engineering, bp Cherry Point Refinery, Washington State, US
"It was such an honour to be selected to represent Oman in this year Tallow Chandlers Technologists Award. To then become the first winner from bp Oman is a dream come true!"
Maryam Al Farsi – process engineer, operations, Muscat, Oman
"Winning this award is a really huge honour. There are so many incredible projects across bp, I am really proud and humbled to have been selected."
Rory Gibson – civil engineer, bp P&O – projects, UK
"At a time of significant transformation in our industry, it’s important to focus on the most important aspect of my role as an engineer: delivering robust solutions. The Tallow Chandlers recognition is the highest award for new engineers who most demonstrate the confluence of innovation and boots on the ground delivery. Receiving this award is an incredible honour and I am humbled to be recognized as a Tallow Chandlers Technologist."
Linsey Grzeschik – reliability engineer, maintenance and reliability engineering, bp Cherry Point Refinery, Washington State, US
More about the Tallow Chandlers
The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers was originally a trade organization set up to regulate oils, ointments, lubricants and fat-based preservatives and to manage candle making using tallow, which is rendered animal fat.
These days the Tallow Chandlers support a wide range of charities, with an emphasis on education and have a relationship with bp dating back to 1978.
Since then, the relationship has grown and is now based on awarding technologists and apprentices for their delivery of successful technical innovations that have contributed to the advancement of the industry.