Young Ambassador 2024

Q&A with CIA’s Young Ambassador Award winner – Jonathan Vincent

This year, Jonathan Vincent, Process Engineer at INEOS Electrochemical Solutions won the Young Ambassador Award sponsored by Scientific Update. 

Jonathan demonstrated remarkable passion and dedication to advancing the chemical industry. The judges were highly impressed by his commitment to driving innovation, fostering talent, and promoting sustainability. Jonathan’s exceptional leadership skills and enthusiasm for transforming perceptions of our industry represent a significant step forward. The judges are confident that Jonathan will be an outstanding leader for ChemTalent, effectively representing the voice of young professionals in the UK chemical industry. 

1. How did it feel when your name was announced?

When my name was announced, it was an incredible feeling of surprise and pride. Winning this award is a significant recognition of my hard work and dedication to the chemical industry and chemical engineering. It’s truly an honour to be acknowledged by my peers and the industry, and it motivates me to continue pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve.

2. Tell us a bit about you and your background.

I graduated from the University of Nottingham with a master’s degree in chemical engineering. My journey to the chemical industry began with an engineering consultancy, where I gained a broad perspective on various engineering challenges. For the past two years, I have been working at INEOS Electrochemical Solutions (IES) as a process engineer. My role involves designing chlor-alkali plants and supporting the sales of electrolysers, which has been both challenging and rewarding.

3. What do you love about your job?

What I love most about my job is the opportunity to work on innovative projects that have a tangible impact on the industry and in global markets. Designing chlor-alkali plants involves a mix of creativity and technical expertise, and seeing a project come to life from a conceptual stage to a fully operational plant is immensely satisfying. Additionally, working with a talented and passionate team at IES makes every project a collaborative and enriching experience.

4. What do you think can be done to attract others to join the industry?

To attract others to the chemical industry, we need to emphasize the diverse career opportunities and the significant impact one can have in this field. Engaging young people through educational outreach, internships, and showcasing success stories can help demystify the industry. Additionally, promoting the industry’s role in sustainability and innovation can inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists. It’s also crucial that we do more to attract people from minority backgrounds and ensure they feel welcomed and supported in the industry. This involves creating inclusive environments, offering mentorship programs, and actively working to retain diverse talent through ongoing professional development and equitable opportunities.

5. What do you hope to achieve as Young Ambassador with the ChemTalent network?

As the Young Ambassador with the ChemTalent network, my primary goal is to foster greater collaboration between ChemTalent and other organizations to ensure that the voices of younger generations are heard in decision-making rooms. I aim to increase engagement from the network and empower younger professionals, making sure their contributions have a meaningful impact. Additionally, I am dedicated to growing the ChemTalent network to create a representative group that truly reflects the diversity and aspirations of the younger generation within our industry. By doing so, I hope to inspire and support the next wave of leaders and innovators in chemical engineering.

6. What do you consider to be the biggest challenges facing our industry at the moment?

Domestically: One of the biggest challenges facing our industry domestically is encouraging investment within the UK and Europe. We need to create a more attractive environment for investors to choose our region over the USA or China. This involves providing clear and supportive regulatory frameworks, offering incentives, and demonstrating the long-term benefits of investing in our industry. Ensuring that these investments are directed towards innovative and sustainable projects is crucial for maintaining our competitive edge and fostering growth in the chemical sector.

Internationally: On an international scale, sustainability and technology development are the foremost challenges. The chemical industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint and transition to more sustainable practices. This involves not only reducing carbon emissions and waste but also finding alternative raw materials and energy sources. Simultaneously, rapid technological advancements present both opportunities and challenges. While new technologies can enhance efficiency and innovation, the industry must adapt quickly to integrate these advancements into traditional processes. Balancing sustainability with technological progress is essential for the global competitiveness and long-term viability of the chemical industry.

7. Where would you like to see yourself in ten years’ time?

In ten years, I see myself in a leadership role within the chemical industry, driving innovation and sustainability initiatives. I hope to be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies and processes that address global challenges. Additionally, I aspire to continue mentoring young professionals and contributing to the growth and evolution of the industry.

8. Finally, there are some exciting plans in place for ChemTalent over the coming year. How can people get involved?

We have an exciting lineup of events planned throughout the next year that we encourage everyone to get involved in. This includes participating in key activities at the CIA Sustainability Conference, where we will be contributing to important discussions and initiatives. Additionally, next spring, we are organizing a special event that will connect current company executives with younger generations. This event aims to discuss the future of the industry and how we can best prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead, along with many more events to be announced throughout the year.

All information about our upcoming events will be shared on our LinkedIn page, “@CIA ChemTalent”. You can join the network by emailing us (hopefully Diana has a network email now), or register an interest in joining the ChemTalent committee and having a greater involvement in our events by emailing chemtalent@cia.org.uk. We look forward to your participation and engagement as we work together to shape the future of the chemical industry!