The prestigious Composites UK Industry Awards 2026 took place at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham, on 4 November, celebrating the remarkable achievements and innovations driving progress within the UK composites sector.
The annual awards ceremony honoured companies and individuals across a range of categories, recognising their outstanding contributions to advancing composite technology, sustainability, and social responsibility.
The 2026 award winners are:
- Apprentice of the Year: Reece Legg, GKN Aerospace
- Prof. Alan Banks Young Engineer of the Year Award: Alicia Chin, GKN Aerospace
- Employer of the Year: GKN Aerospace – Global Technology Centre, Bristol
- Social Impact Award: CTG, a Safran Group company – Actuation Business Unit
- Sustainability: Circularity: CEAMS – Prepreg Aerospace Demonstrator using 100% Recycled Continuous Carbon Fibre (rCCF)
- Sustainability: Net-Zero: Jo Bird and Co – Net Zero by Design Decarbonising the Manufacture of Lifesaving and Fire Safety Composite Equipment Enclosures
- Innovation in Composites Design: Engineered Composites – World’s first GRP Handrail System Independently Verified to Exceed Public Assembly Structural Loading
- Innovation in Composites Manufacture: iCOMAT – GENeration of Aerospace Fibre Steered COMposites – GENACOM
- Innovation in Composites Materials: HTMS Composites – HTMS Inorganic Matrix Composites, Revolutionising High Temperature Composite Materials
- Outstanding Contribution to the Composites Industry: Alun Reece, CEO of Loop Technology
Case studies highlighting the winners, along with shortlisted finalists in each category, are available on the Composites UK website.
Composites UK congratulates all this year’s winners, whose pioneering work demonstrates the innovation, expertise and commitment driving the UK composites industry forward.
The Association also extends its sincere thanks to the sponsors whose contributions help make the awards possible and provide an opportunity for the composites community to come together to celebrate its achievements. This year the sponsors were Zund UK Ltd, Everywhen, Syensqo, NCC, Advanced Engineering and Athena Blue Innovation.
The Composites UK Industry Awards recognise excellence across the UK composites supply chain, from innovative manufacturing processes and materials to sustainability, skills development and individual contributions to the industry.
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