Celebrating the impact of: YOU
As part of the IET Festival of Volunteering 2026, we’re celebrating outstanding volunteers through our Volunteer Excellence Awards.
We’re delighted to announce the nominees for this year’s Volunteer Excellence Awards. These inspiring individuals have been recognised for their outstanding contributions, dedication and commitment to volunteering across the IET.
Join us at the IET Festival of Volunteering 2026 as we celebrate all of this year’s nominees and recognise the difference they make to our profession, communities and the wider IET. The Festival brings together volunteers from across the IET to celebrate achievements, share best practice, and explore the many ways volunteering helps shape our profession and communities.
IET Volunteers will receive a unique Festival registration link via email. If you haven't received it, or need help accessing the event platform, please email volunteer@theiet.org
IET Champion Organisation for Volunteering shortlist
An IET Champion Organisation for Volunteering recognises organisations that go above and beyond to support their employees in volunteering, creating an environment where contribution is valued, encouraged, and celebrated.
This award celebrates an organisation whose commitment is felt directly by volunteers and whose support plays a vital role in the growth of the IET community.
Find out more about our nominees.
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AtkinsRéalis are a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems.
Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world.
We design and deliver major projects on the built and natural environments all around the world. We believe that digitally enabled engineering has the power to radically improve the way we are all housed, connected, powered, and protected.
We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer this better future for our planet and its people.
It’s our belief that it’s only by connecting people, data and technology across our global organization, partnerships and industry, that transformational change is possible.
This requires us to understand the most complex projects, end-to-end. It demands we deliver ambitious designs underpinned by flawless execution. It necessitates the ability to make Net Zero solutions, powered by digitally enabled processes, the norm. And it means that culturally, we aim to be an open, invitational, and likeable team that problem solvers are instinctively drawn to.
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Based on the Isle of Man, Swagelok Limited is the island’s largest engineering employer and a key manufacturer of pressure regulators. As a subsidiary of Swagelok Company, a global leader in industrial fluid system products and services, the organisation combines world-class manufacturing expertise with a strong commitment to its people and local communities.
At the heart of Swagelok’s success is a people-focused culture built on respect, collaboration, opportunity, and continuous improvement. Associates are encouraged to share ideas, develop their skills, and contribute both within the workplace and beyond.
Community engagement is a core element of Swagelok’s values. Through support for STEM education, workforce development partnerships, charitable initiatives, sponsored volunteering opportunities, and employee giving programmes, the company helps strengthen communities and inspire future generations.
IET Rising Star of Volunteering shortlist
A Rising Star is a volunteer who has been with the IET for less than two years who has already made a meaningful impact, showing initiative, enthusiasm, and strong potential for the future.
Awarded to an outstanding volunteer professional, the nominee can be currently volunteering in any area of the IET.
Find out more about our nominees.
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Xiao Jian Tan, PhD, CEng, MIET
Associate Professor, Tunku Abdul Rahman University Of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), Malaysia
He obtained his Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree in 2016 and later completed his PhD in Biomedical Electronics Engineering in 2019. He has been actively contributing to the advancement of engineering professionalism through the IET Malaysia Local Network since 2025.
He served as the Organising Chairperson of the IET Prestige Lecture Award Dinner (PLAD) 2025 and currently contributes as the Event Coordinator/Advisor for PLAD 2026. Since 2025, he has also served as an International Professional Registration Advisor (IPRA) and Regional Representative (Central) for the IET Malaysia Local Network, supporting the promotion of IET membership, professional registration pathways, and CEng development.
Through his leadership and engagement, he has coordinated multiple professional outreach activities, university engagement programmes, and a national STEAM initiative in collaboration with the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Education Department, while mentoring engineers from academia and industry towards achieving CEng recognition.
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Harvinder Singh Nagi
Senior Systems Architect, Harwell, UK
Harvinder is a senior technology leader specialising in space, satellite communications, defence, and advanced wireless systems.
He is Senior System Architect for Future Networks and Interim Head of Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) within the CTO Office at the Satellite Applications Catapult, leading activities in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), resilient connectivity, satellite-enabled PNT, and next-generation communications.
With over 20 years of experience across the aerospace, defence, and telecommunications sectors, Harvinder has supported major programmes involving Airbus, Leonardo, MBDA, OneWeb, Eutelsat, and the European Space Agency (ESA). His expertise spans satellite systems, advanced antenna technologies, beamforming, wireless communications, and technology commercialisation.
Harvinder is Vice-Chair of the IET Satellite Technical Network, a Chartered Engineer (CEng), International Professional Engineer (IntPE), and Senior Member of IEEE. He is a regular international speaker and a strong advocate for innovation through industry, academia, and government collaboration.
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EUR ING Govind Valji Vekaria CEng FIET FCL
TopSky-ATC Operational Authority & Project Design Authority, Thales UK
Govind’s volunteering journey began with a simple goal: give a little more of himself. At Thales UK—where volunteering is actively encouraged and supported with dedicated paid time—he turned that intention into action, initially setting a target of at least ten hours a year, and very quickly exceeding it.
In January 2025, Govind teamed up with two others to relaunch the IET London Harrow Local Network, aiming to deliver three in-person events that year. Soon after, when the others stepped back, Govind didn’t—he became the driving force, scaling up Harrow’s event calendar and introducing Technical Visits spanning both industry and academia.
Harrow’s audience continues to grow exponentially as Govind continues to build momentum, one event at a time.
IET Members’ Choice Award for Volunteering shortlist
A Members’ Choice Award nominee is a volunteer who consistently enhances the experience of being part of the IET and ensures that fellow members feel supported throughout their involvement.
Awarded to an outstanding volunteer professional, the nominee can be currently volunteering in any area of the IET.
Find out more about our nominees.
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Dr. Soumya A V
Associate Professor, Trivandrum
Dr. Soumya serves as Faculty Advisor of the IET MBCET Student Chapter, where she has driven its growth, inclusivity, and sense of community. She dedicates significant time to mentoring student volunteers and guiding chapter leaders, ensuring every member feels welcomed and empowered. Under her guidance, the chapter has delivered impactful initiatives including the 40-Hour Drone/UAS Bootcamp, HACKIET Hackathon, IGNIET Innovation Challenge, Engineering Your Confidence programme, Cancer Awareness Campaigns, and the NammadeVote App Launch.
Her contributions extend beyond the chapter level. She represented IET Kanyakumari Local Network (KKLN) at the IET Young Professionals Summit in London (Nov 2022), and has served KKLN as Joint Treasurer (2021) and Secretary (2023–present). She was honoured with the Outstanding Leadership Award 2024 by IET KKLN and the IET Best Faculty Advisor Award on 17 Dec 2023.
Known for her patience, approachability, and genuine investment in student growth, Dr. Soumya has shaped countless young leaders, exemplifying the core values of the IET through her selfless service and mentorship.
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Sam Duffield
Head of Professional Services, Balena
Sam Duffield is a Software Engineer leading Professional Services at balena. He partners with customers to architect software for physical & robotics products, maximizing EdgeAI performance and IoT connectivity.
As an Honorary Professor of Practice in Robotics and Autonomous Systems at the University of Plymouth, Sam provides strategic direction to align educational programs with industry needs, boosting student employability in EdgeAI, IoT, and Robotics.
Additionally, his tenure on the IET Council starts in October 2026, and chairs the IET YPC, supporting the future engineering workforce. Sam’s 10-year career spans electronics, embedded systems, and software, featuring previous roles at Babcock and Dyson.
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Dr. Grace Chai MIET, FHEA
Dr. Grace Chai has volunteered with the Institution of IET since 2018, serving as an International Professional Registration Advisor, International Professional Registration Interviewer, Local Network Committee member, and On Campus Advisor.
As the founder and Chair of IET Malaysia Women in Science and Engineering, she champions initiatives that empower women and nurture the next generation.
This year, she spearheaded the launch of the IET Malaysia WISE Awards, recognising outstanding women across Malaysia and the Asia Pacific. Grace actively supports IET initiatives and is proud to contribute to a community that inspires excellence, collaboration, and lifelong learning. She believes volunteering creates opportunities, strengthens the engineering community, and delivers lasting impact through service, leadership, and collaboration.
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Keith Joughin BEng MBA CEng FIET
Chartered in 1984 and a Fellow since 2014, Keith spent the majority of his career in the sugar industry and the steel industry where he finished up as Chief Electrical Engineer for British Steel in which role he also ran the IET-accredited Professional Development Scheme.
When Keith retired, he volunteered as an assessor for the IET Professional Development team and was soon appointed to the Professional Development Operations Committee where he is currently the PDOC representative on the R&SC Risk Register Committee and is also chairing a Working Group reviewing all the PD documents.
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Richard Meadows
Richard is a career electrical engineer whose work in power generation control systems and switchgear design began in 1976.
Over five decades, he worked in 22 countries across Australia, the Far East, the Middle East, Europe and the United States. Appointed Senior Authorised Person – HV in the early 1980s, he held this responsibility until 2012.
In 2006, he became Technical Director of Cummins Power Generation, leading engineering and compliance strategy for Europe, Middle East and Africa until retiring in 2016.
He now volunteers with the IET and the National Trust, continuing to share his expertise and commitment to engineering.