Nathan Ormond, a Chemical Engineering MEng graduate from the School of Engineering who completed his degree in July, has been awarded the prestigious Salters’ Graduate Award this year and is now starting his career at Airbus, working with ZeroE to design sustainable, hydrogen-fuelled aircraft.

The awards ceremony took place on 6 December 2024 at the renowned Salters' Hall in London. The awards are only for final-year undergraduate Chemical Engineering and Chemistry students who demonstrate the ability to become leaders in their chosen field. There is a strict set of criteria to meet for applicants and a lengthy selection process. Notably, only five Chemical Engineering graduates across the UK received the honour in 2024. This demonstrates that Nathan truly impressed the judges and has a great start to the beginning of his career taking his passion for Chemical Engineering to the next level.

The Salters’ Institute is a registered charity in London which aims to create innovative programming to promote Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and related sciences. Their goal is to be accessible for all and they hold a wide range of programmes including outreach to enthuse children and young people.

The Salters’ Institute annual programme highlights exceptional individuals at different stages of their careers. Nathan has received esteemed recognition in his field, and the Graduate Award includes a generous grant of £1,000.

Nathan Ormond said "I was delighted to receive the Salters’ Graduate Award recognising my hard work over the past few years. My previous placements at EDF and Croda both helped enormously in providing an understanding of the industry required for this award. Additionally, my university projects in hydrogen production and publishing an international journal paper on sustainable fuel widened my knowledge of how chemical engineering is key to creating a sustainable future. I would like to thank all my friends and family who have supported me throughout my personal and professional journey, and my design project and final-year research project supervisor, Dr Basu Saha for his continuous support and encouragement to achieve my best."

Dr Basu Saha, the Director of Studies for Chemical Engineering and Nathan’s Supervisor added, “I am extremely pleased that Nathan has received this award. During his time at Lancaster, he excelled as a top student and demonstrated outstanding leadership skills. With a promising future in Chemical Engineering, Nathan is poised for an exciting and rewarding career. His dedication, innovative research, and commitment to excellence have truly set him apart, and this prestigious accolade is a testament to his contributions and potential.”