Enginuity Announces Tom Brookes Best of British

The very best of British engineering and manufacturing was celebrated last night at the Enginuity Skills Awards 2022.

More than 200 people gathered at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London for the first in-person awards since 2019.

The awards are designed to recognise the new generation of talent who are making a difference and shaping the future of industry.

There were nine awards in total on the night, with the winners of each automatically nominated for the overall Best in British Engineering accolade.

This award was won by Tom Brookes, managing director of Zzeus Ltd, a Lincoln-based specialist fire alarm technician training centre.

Mr Brookes said he was inspired to make a difference after seeing what happened at Grenfell Tower. He said the impact of the 2017 fire, which claimed the lives of 72 people, had left a lasting impact on him and made him want to do his ‘small bit’ to ensure what happened that day was never repeated.

“I have been part of the working groups after Grenfell and have been looking particularly at the competence of fire alarm engineers.

“The country has got very few qualified fire alarm engineers and after Grenfell we need qualified people.

“I can only do a small part but if I can get fire alarm engineers up to a high level where they are more skilled, more qualified, more competent, I think I have done my little bit.

“We need to do a lot more, but for me that’s the only thing I can do, with the skills I’ve got. If I can raise a few engineers to that level, then I’ll be happy.”

He added: “Zzeus has tried to create an environment for people within the fire alarm industry to have a qualification.

“This is not just school leavers, this is people up to their fifties and sixties who, historically, have had no qualifications in fire alarm engineering.

“We also have the younger guys who have been let down by normal schooling in my opinion, where schools just think people are academic and sometimes, they are not.

“Sometimes they need logical thinking or an engineering qualification.

“To see the younger guys who have suddenly got qualifications when they have been let down by other schools and colleges is fantastic.”

Chief Executive Officer at Enginuity, Ann Watson, said: “It was wonderful to see so many brilliant apprentices, learners and companies being awarded and celebrated.

“We have a remarkable depth of talent and enthusiasm at work throughout our sectors.

“Enginuity’s charitable mission is to help give engineers the opportunity to change their world and ours and these awards are the perfect opportunity to recognise their efforts.

“There are many reasons why Tom was named our Best of Britishbut his extraordinary empathy and dedication to young learners set him apart.

“Through Tom’s work and commitment, we have a safer world and a stunning example of human kindness.

“I’d like to thank everyone who made the night such a success and of course, congratulate our very deserving winners.”

The full list of winners are as follows:

Training Partner of the Year Award, sponsored by Burton and South Derbyshire College

Winner: In-Comm Training

 

SME Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by BAE Systems

Winner: James Ashly from Gloucestershire Engineering Training

 

Diversity in Engineering Award, sponsored by Enginuity

Winner: Professor Lisa Brodie, The University of West England, Bristol

 

SME Investment in Skills Award, sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover

Winner: Dan Richardson from Tribosonics

 

Large Employer Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Fuse Universal

Winner: Joshua Tee from MTC Apprenticeships

 

Skills Innovation of the Year Award, sponsored by QinetiQ

Winner: Autolive

 

Graduate or Degree Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by The Engineer

Winner: Ryan Yates of BAE Systems

 

Skills Champion of the Year Award, sponsored by EAL

Winner: Tom Brookes of ZZEUS Ltd

 

Digital Innovation of the Year Award, sponsored by Dassault Systemes

Winner: The Engineering Development Trust

 

Best of British Engineering Award, sponsored by Enginuity

Winner: Tom Brookes of ZZEUS Ltd

 

For more information about the Enginuity Skills Awards, visit: https://enginuity.org/news-events/skills-awards/