IChemE members awarded in New Year's Honours

TWO IChemE members have been recognised in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list.

Judith Hackitt, FIChemE, chair of the Health and Safety Executive of Great Britain (HSE) and former president of IChemE, has been made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). At the same time, John Baxter, Hon FIChemE, former group head of engineering at BP, has been awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Hackitt’s award recognises her services to health and safety and for being a role model in engineering. She is a strong advocate for Health and safety, and her work has made her role model for young women according to HSE.

Hackitt said, “I am grateful for the recognition for my work as an ambassador for health and safety and engineering, but I could not have done that without having such a brilliant, world-class organisation to talk about.

“We’ve made a real difference to how people perceive health and safety and will continue to drive improvements to keep people safe at work and help Britain to work well.”

Hackitt worked in the chemicals manufacturing industry for 23 years. She then joined the Chemical Industries Association in 1998, before becoming its director general in 2002. She went on to work for the European Chemical Industry Association, and in 2006 was awarded a CBE for services to health and safety.

Baxter won his award for services to engineering, education and the energy sector. He currently advises the UK Ministry of Defence on oil industry matters and holds the rank of Colonel in the Engineer and Logistics Staff Corps of the Royal Engineers.