The Young Environmentalist of the Year Award, sponsored by Jacobs, recognises exceptional contribution to environmental understanding.

Helen, who works as a team leader in Northumbrian Water Group's wastewater operations team, joined the company's graduate scheme as a mature student in 2012 after completed a degree in Biology at Newcastle University.

She has quickly progressed within NWG and has lead on major projects, whilst championing her passion for protecting water resources and the environment across the organisation.

Helen created and project managed the national award winning "Water Rangers" project, a volunteering scheme which engages and rewards local people for undertaking monitoring activities on their local watercourse and reporting potential pollution incidents.

Aside from being a CIWEM member working towards chartership, Helen is a WaterAid committee member and works to support charitable activities for STEM in schools and women in STEM.

Helen said: "Receiving this award is a huge honour and I would like to thank those individuals who have supported my development over the years, at home and at work. Their advice and encouragement is priceless and much appreciated.

"I would also like to thank Northumbrian Water for allowing innovation and creativity to thrive within the business, and to CIWEM and Jacobs for this wonderful accolade. I wholeheartedly believe that the environment is our customer and everyone should treat it as such and respect it. I am excited about my future and will always work hard to look after our precious environment."

The judging panel comprised of Terry Fuller, CIWEM Chief Executive, Alastair Chisholm, Head of Policy and Communications at CIWEM and Mark Etheridge, Executive Director of Operations at Jacobs.

Terry said: "We are proud to support and encourage excellence in environmental professionals who are starting on their career journey through this competition and our student, graduate and chartered levels of membership.

"We were extremely impressed with Helen's professional journey to date. Her passion for water and the environment has driven a new career to which she has shown outstanding dedication.

"A desire to share her interests and skills and encourage the participation of others was particularly impressive. We wish Helen the very best for the future and hope to continue to work with her at CIWEM."

LINKS
Water Rangers project
Young Environmentalist of the Year Award