The value and significance of the nation’s compressed gases sector were reinforced in the British Compressed Gases Association’s (BCGA) digital conference and inaugural awards ceremony event. Over two days, delegates were kept up to speed with the latest industry developments, concluding with the BCGA Industry Recognition Awards, which celebrated members’ contributions to their industry and communities.
Judged by an independent panel of experts, the winners were;
- Outstanding Team of the Year Award (Large Company) – Air Products Procurement & Facilities Management Team
- Outstanding Team of the Year (Small Company) – Speciality Oxygen Service
- Consultant of the Year – Simon Fisher, Gas Con
- Rising Star of the Year, (joint winners) – Connor Lakey, BOC and Kelly Vasir, Cavagna Group UK
During the conference, keynote speaker Lord Callanan, a Government Minister from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, personally thanked the industry for its work in the Covid-19 pandemic in providing medical gases. He also set-out the importance of the sector as the UK looks for innovative solutions on the road to net zero.
Lord Callanan was one of 11 speakers covering a broad and engaging range of topics aimed at the sector, each offering a different perspective on the latest developments in the industry from around the world, current issues and shared association news. Other subjects discussed included Brexit, hydrogen transport and the helium marketplace, as well as diversity, inclusion and mental health.
The American Compressed Gases Association also talked about its work in areas including the pandemic response.
We were delighted with the response and feedback for the conference, which attracted 178 unique visitors, the most ever for a BCGA conference. Although we had to move to a digital format, we were able to come together, look at the last 12 months as an industry, and build a picture of the opportunities and challenges we face in the months and years ahead. It was particularly rewarding to see the first ever BCGA Awards. The quality of the entries was exceptional and we are confident the event will evolve when we hopefully meet face to face for our next conference in Manchester in April 2022. We are grateful to the speakers, delegates and all the team who worked hard to deliver the event, as well as our event sponsor, Gasworld.
Ellen Daniels – CEO, BCGA
Notes To Editors – About BCGA
The ‘invisible industry’ underpinning a safe, successful and healthy nation – industrial and medical gases are essential to the existence and well-being of thousands of people in the UK every day.
Industrial gases perform a wide-ranging role, supporting the manufacture of information technology, as well as key UK industrial sectors including steelmaking, refining, welding, chemical processing and electronics. They also help keep homes warm, water clean and food nutritious, appealing and affordable – while medical gases play a critical role in applications including respiratory care, pain therapies and anaesthesia.
The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) is the UK membership body for this critical industry. With a commitment to stringent quality, safety and environmental measures, BCGA members employ 19,000 people directly and account for an annual turnover of £2.7 billion.
Members of BCGA operate in a highly-regulated industry and work together on technical, safety, health and environmental issues to achieve high standards of integrity and environmental care, both within their own and customers’ working environments.
BCGA promotes safety practice through its publications and also participates in the preparation and revision of National, European and International Standards.
