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

2024 winner: Madeleine Best

The Hugh MacColl Award for 2024 is awarded to Madeleine Best.

Over the past three years, Maddie has played a key role in developing and embedding non-destructive testing (NDT) apprenticeships that are helping to shape the future of the industry. As Operations Manager at Lavender International NDT, she leads a multi-disciplinary team spanning quality assurance, compliance and delivery. Her leadership has been central to creating an apprenticeship experience that is both rigorous and supportive, ensuring learners are engaged, challenged and set up to succeed.

Maddie has worked closely with employers to design a curriculum that reflects real-world engineering needs, ensuring apprentices leave the programme not just qualified but genuinely work ready. Her work also includes contributing to the Trailblazer Group in the development of the new Level 3 Non-Destructive Technologies apprenticeship, helping to shape a programme that meets both current and future industry demands.

Her commitment to supporting quality and compliance helped secure an Ofsted judgement of ‘significant progress’ across all themes, reflecting the strength and impact of the programme she helped build.

She now supports over 50 employers and more than 150 apprentices across England enrolled on the Level 2 and Level 3 schemes, tailoring the programme to meet individual ambitions while staying aligned with the demands of industry. To date, 157 apprentices have achieved full NDT Level 2 certification across a range of methods, introducing diverse talent into a sector that has traditionally faced challenges in engaging younger generations. With an average apprentice age of 21, the programme is opening new pathways into the industry and contributing to a stronger, more sustainable future for NDT.

Maddie’s contribution to training and professional development in NDT is clear, grounded in a deep understanding of the sector and a genuine commitment to the people within it.

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