A Bristol Water engineer has taken home the Rising Star award at the Water Industry Awards for his work in chemical engineering and dedication to championing diversity, equality and inclusion.
Emmanuel Elegbede triumphed at the annual Water Industry event and says he was “overjoyed but surprised” when his name was read out.
Following in the footsteps of his father, a former water company director, Emmanuel initially began working for Pennon, which owns Bristol Water via a graduate scheme where he worked on a pioneering water treatment system at Alderney Water Treatment Works in Bournemouth.
By using the latest technology, Emmanuel has been instrumental in updating the works to deliver eco-friendly water supplies and clean energy solutions.
On completion of the graduate programme he started working at Bristol Water in September 2021, in the Water Services team.
After joining, Emmanuel quickly became Co-Chair of a REACH (Race Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) group which has introduced a support process for colleagues on sponsorship visas, and led initiatives to promote cultural awareness, engagement campaigns, and cultural celebration days.
Emmanuel said: “Winning the Rising Star Award has been such an honour as it’s a recognition of all the hard work I’ve done.
“The amazing support I’ve had from Bristol and Bournemouth Water has allowed me to move forward with my career and develop to where I am now.
“I’m truly passionate about water as it’s the foundation of life, and with growing concerns about water issues in the UK, the work I do is so important.
“This award has given me more ambition and drive to take on new challenges.
“Being recognised for my work around diversity and inclusion means a lot as addressing these issues is necessary for improvement and because the challenges faced by people of minority shouldn’t go unnoticed.
“Before we are anything else, we are all human beings.”
Richard Stanbrook, Director of Drinking Water Services at Bristol Water, said: “It’s wonderful to see Emmanuel’s hard work being recognised by the industry in this way.
“We’re incredibly proud to have him as a colleague and excited to see what challenges he takes on next.”