The finalists for the Composites UK Industry Awards 2026 have been revealed, celebrating the people, businesses and innovations making a significant contribution to the UK composites industry.
The 2026 Industry Awards, recognises excellence across the sector in areas including skills, engineering, sustainability, innovation and social impact.
The winners will be announced at the Composites UK Industry Awards Dinner on 4 November 2026, at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, coinciding with the Advanced Engineering Show, where industry professionals will come together to celebrate the achievements of the UK composites community.
The 2026 shortlist is:
Apprentice of the Year
- Reece Legg – GKN Aerospace
- Achuthan Rajendram – GKN Aerospace
- Riley Bannister – Syensqo
- Euan Dolan – Teledyne CML Composites
- Tom Strother – Teledyne CML Composites
Prof. Alan Banks Young Engineer of the Year
- Frazer Scott – Cygnet Texkimp
- Sophie Warburton – Cygnet Texkimp
- Alicia Chin – GKN Aerospace
- Vaishnavi Shankar – GKN Aerospace
- Beth Jones – Teledyne CML Composites
- Declan Wray – Teledyne CML Composites
Sustainability Initiative: Circularity
- Airtech Advanced Materials Group
- Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS)
- CFP Composites Ltd
- Marine & Boat Recycling
- Uplift 360
Sustainability Initiative: Net-Zero
- Base Materials
- Jo Bird and Co
- Marine & Boat Recycling
Innovation in Composite Manufacture
- iCOMAT
- Plataine
- Plyable
Innovation in Composite Design
- Engineered Composites
- M Wright and Sons
Innovation in Composite Materials
- Base Materials
- HTMS
- James Cropper & Hexcel
However, the winners of two categories have already been pre-announced.
Employer of the Year
GKN Aerospace
Social Impact Award
CTG, a Safran Group company – Actuation Business Unit
Congratulations to both organisations on their achievements. Composites UK is looking forward to celebrating their success, alongside all this year’s finalists and winners, at the National Motorcycle Museum in November.
The Outstanding Contribution to the Composites Industry category will be announced separately at a later date.
Composites UK Marketing & Communications Manager, Claire Whysall, said: “The quality and breadth of this year’s entries demonstrate the strength and ambition of the UK composites industry. From the next generation of apprentices and engineers through to pioneering work in sustainability, manufacturing, design and materials, the shortlist represents some fantastic achievements across our sector.
“We’re looking forward to bringing the industry together in November to celebrate all of our finalists and announce this year’s winners.”
Bookings for the Composites UK Industry Awards Dinner are open, with tables of 10 and individual seats available.
The evening provides an opportunity to celebrate with colleagues, customers and industry peers, while recognising the achievements of those shortlisted for this year’s awards. There are also sponsorship opportunities available, providing organisations with the chance to raise their profile and show their support for excellence across the composites industry.
Composites UK would like to thank the current sponsors for their support:
- Headline Award Sponsor – Zund UK
- Networking Reception Sponsor – Advanced Engineering Show
- Award Sponsors – Syensqo and NCC
- Award Providers – Athena Blue Innovation
Organisations interested in becoming an awards sponsor are encouraged to get in touch with Composites UK to discuss the opportunities available.
For awards dinner bookings and sponsorship enquiries, please click here.