Nominations have opened for the 2017 Subsea UK Awards which, in its 11th year, seek to recognize companies and individuals in UK’s £9 billion ($12 billion) subsea sector.
Subsea UK said on Wednesday that awards will be divided into seven categories: Company of the Year (Large and small), Innovation and Technology which is sponsored by Simmons & Co., New Enterprise, Global Exports, Innovation for Safety, Young Emerging Talent, and Outstanding Contribution.
Entries for the 2017 Subsea UK Awards can be made by November 4, 2016, and the shortlist of finalists will be announced in January 2017.
Accolades will be presented at a gala dinner, organized by Subsea UK on February 2 during the Subsea Expo, European subsea conference and exhibition.
Subsea UK added that several hundred business leaders are expected to attend the dinner which celebrates the hard work and outstanding achievements generated across the industry over the last twelve months.
Neil Gordon , chief executive of Subsea UK, said: “These Awards set out to celebrate companies and personnel who exhibit the range of talent, innovation, creativity, and flair the UK subsea sector has become renowned for.
“The industry is in the midst of one of the most demanding periods of recent times and to keep growing despite this, and every business needs new ideas as well as good people to generate change and drive it forward. This goes hand in hand with the ability to execute the work to the highest standards.
“We look forward to receiving entries from those who can demonstrate how they go above and beyond to drive our sector forward ensuring the industry is best placed to reap the benefits now and in the future.”
Last year’s dinner saw Aker Solutions named Company of the Year, and David Bloom of Subsea 7 of was named the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award. Aker Solutions also won the award for innovation & technology; while Robert Weeks, lead engineer at JDR Cable Systems, scooped the award for young emerging talent. Fathom Systems was crowned the Small Company of the Year and also won the Innovation for Safety award. The global exports award went to JDR Cable Systems for its rapid expansion into key international markets.
Subsea Expo, which will be held at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre from February 1-3, will examine and debate industry topics including managing subsea systems, low-cost subsea interventions, subsea mining, data management, underwater vehicles and inspection techniques.
Subsea UK expects to attract over 200 exhibitors and more than 6,000 delegates.