The Hugh MacColl Award

Award criteria

Purpose: To recognise the contribution by an individual to teaching, training, education and professional development in NDT/CM/SHM over a period of at least 2-10 years. 

Details of the award: The award will consist of a certificate backed by £350 cash, an invitation to the NDT Annual Conference Dinner and one night’s accommodation. In the case of a group award, the invitation to the NDT Annual Conference Dinner will be made to one representative.

Eligibility: Individuals who have made a significant contribution to teaching, training, education and professional development in NDT/CM/SHM.

The proposer of the award should be a voting member of the Institute. If they are not, they will need to ensure the application is endorsed by an Institute voting member.

Frequency: The prize will be awarded annually and will only be issued if suitable nominations are received.

Nomination arrangements: Nominations should be submitted by email to: karen.cambridge@bindt.org

Nominations for the award will be reviewed by the Membership, Qualification and Education (MQ&E) Committee. These should show the contribution to teaching, training, education and professional development in NDT/CM/SHM. If there is only one nomination, then MQ&E should vote to confirm whether the nomination is eligible and, if so, to approve the award. 

If there is more than one nomination, then the entries should be sent for judging by a panel set up for the purpose. Four members of the panel are to be appointed by MQ&E. Each judge will be invited to score the entries on a point scale of 0 to 3 and send the scores to Karen Cambridge, who will total the scores, and the entry receiving the most points will be declared the winner.  

Awarding arrangements: The award will be made at the NDT Annual Conference Dinner and will be awarded by the Chair of MQ&E.

Committee: MQ&E Committee.

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Winners

2025 winners: Mandy Weir and Professor Bruce Drinkwater

The Hugh MacColl Award for 2025 is awarded to Mandy Weir and Professor Bruce Drinkwater. 

Mandy Weir is the training coordinator at Applus+ UK and has worked in the engineering construction industry for the past 20 years. Throughout her career, she has developed a passion for learning and development, with a focus on supporting young people entering the industry and helping them gain the skills and knowledge needed to build successful careers. Working closely with the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), Mandy promotes and supports apprenticeships and workforce development across the company.

Mandy is committed to creating opportunities for growth through the coordination of effective training and development programmes that equip individuals with the skills needed to succeed in their roles. She believes that investing in people is key to building a skilled, capable workforce and ensuring the long-term success of both employees and the organisation. Applus+ is committed to ensuring its technicians are fully trained, qualified and competent in NDT and, utilising its Skills & Competency Management system, it monitors and manages the certification and ongoing competency for all PCN- and EN 4179-certified technicians. This enables the company to maintain the highest standards of technical excellence, compliance and safety, while ensuring its workforce has the knowledge, skills and practical experience required to deliver reliable inspection services across a wide range of industries.

With extensive industry experience and a people-focused approach, Mandy takes pride in supporting career development, promoting continuous learning and helping to foster a culture where individuals can thrive and achieve their professional goals.

Professor Bruce Drinkwater founded the Ultrasonics and Non-Destructive Testing Research Group at the University of Bristol in 1996. The group is now internationally recognised and has six academic staff and circa 30 PhD students and post-docs. He is Director of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Innovation in Non-Destructive Evaluation and Editor-in-Chief of NDT&E International. He has pioneered industrial applications of ultrasonic arrays in non-destructive testing, as well as developing innovative devices for condition monitoring and particle manipulation. His research has been commercialised through licensing and spin-outs and changed industrial practice by inclusion in international standards. In 2024, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Past winners:
1989    Chief Tech G Metcalfe
1990    Mr G Elliott
1991    Mr M J Nicholas
1992    Dr S R Oaten
1998    Mr K Coultate
1999    No Award
2000    No Award
2001    No Award
2002    No Award
2003    Mr T Armitt
2004    No Award
2005    No Award
2006    No Award
2007    Mr C Ward
2008    No Award
2009    No Award
2010    No Award
2011    No Award
2012    Mr J Drury
2013    No Award
2014    No Award
2015    No Award
2016    No Award
2017    Lily O’Hare
2018    Ian Jones
2019    No Award
2020    Dr Abdeldjalil Bennecer
2021    Neil Harrap
2022    Sam Cunningham
2023    Joe Heigold