Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Tom Nevard 2024 competition winners announced

Defence Events

Tom Nevard 2024 competition winners announced

Apprentices from MoD Abbey Wood are celebrating after being named as winners of this year’s annual Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Tom Nevard Memorial Competition.



Image courtesy DE&S

The weeklong residential competition saw 60 Ministry of Defence and wider Civil Service apprentices take part in challenges to build and design defence-related products, develop core competences and encourage teamwork.

Alongside participants from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), Defence Munitions Gosport, Defence Munitions Beith and Defence Electronics Components Agency (Deca), 30 Defence Equipment & Support apprentices from Abbey Wood took part, with DE&S CEO Andy Start also in attendance.

Advertisement
ODU RT

This year’s competition included group and individual engineering challenges and a non-engineering task. The initiative was open to apprentices on the DE&S ABW Corporate Service Group (CSG) Degree, Digital Degree, Finance and Accounting (F&A), Information Management and Information Technology (IM&IT) and Project Delivery courses.

This year’s winners are:

  • Electrical Award: Louis Holland (Abbey Wood)
  • Non-engineering Award: Jazmine Sage (Abbey Wood)
  • Group Award: Paul Jamieson (Beith), Caleb Landon (Sealand), Gabriella Shepherd (Abbey Wood) and Kieran Williams (Abbey Wood), Joe Westing (Abbey Wood) and Oliver Ellis (Gosport)
  • CEO Award: Martin Sousa (Abbey Wood) and Tamsin Hoult (Abbey Wood)
  • Mechanical Award: Henry Fleck (Abbey Wood) and Georgia Raynor-Smith (Abbey Wood)
Advertisement
ODU RT

Phil Rotherham, Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Technical Lead said: “Once again, the Tom Nevard Memorial Competition has returned to Shrivenham and with competitors from all parts of the UK it is now bigger than ever. The Defence College of Military Capability Integration (DCMCI) and the equipment it holds really is the perfect back drop to this event and our apprentices always go away inspired and re-energised.”

Participants received a weeklong Introduction to Engineering series of learning sessions and had the chance to build and design an engineering-based project, with tasks centered around testing their craftsmanship and creativity.

Apprentice Gabriella Shepherd from DE&S said: “I really enjoyed the freedom of creativity and innovation given to us within the challenge, and it provided me with valuable communication navigating through the task as a team.”

The Tom Nevard Memorial Competition was first held in 1952, in memory of the assistant secretary of the Labour Branch of the Ministry of Supply to test the craftsmanship of apprentices. Initially held in Glasgow, it moved to the Defence Academy in 2014 where it has become an annual event, delivered as a joint MoD and contractor initiative.

Apprentice Georgia Raynor-Smith from DE&S added: “The Tom Nevard competition was a really fun week meeting new apprentices and undertaking activities that involved a lot of problem solving and thinking. It was a great opportunity to get hands on experience and learning some new skills in the workshops.”

Advertisement
PTC PTC
QinetiQ to support US Army counter UAS

Defence

QinetiQ to support US Army counter UAS

27 May 2025

QinetiQ US won a $41 million, three-year task order to provide software and technology integration support for a counter-UAS project under the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center.

HMS Venturer ventures forth

Defence

HMS Venturer ventures forth

27 May 2025

HMS Venturer, the first of five Type 31 frigates being constructed by Babcock in Scotland for the Royal Navy, has rolled out of its purpose-built Venturer Building in Rosyth.

ADS and TheCityUK set out means to de-risk defence

Defence

ADS and TheCityUK set out means to de-risk defence

27 May 2025

TheCityUK and ADS have today released a landmark paper setting out how greater private-public cooperation can de-risk defence and enable the businesses responsible for UK security to access the financial and related professional services they require to develop.

Serco completes acquisition of MT&S from Northrop Grumman

Defence Space

Serco completes acquisition of MT&S from Northrop Grumman

27 May 2025

Serco has today announced it has completed the acquisition of Northrop Grumman’s mission training and satellite ground network communications software business (MT&S) - having all necessary regulatory approvals - finalised at a purchase price of $327 million (£245 million).

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
UK and allies expose Russian cyber campaign targeting western logistics and tech entities

Defence Security

UK and allies expose Russian cyber campaign targeting western logistics and tech entities

23 May 2025

The UK government and international allies have exposed Russia’s military intelligence service for a campaign of malicious cyber activity against western logistics entities and technology companies.

Tyron boosts logistics team with Beata Sleightholme

Defence Security

Tyron boosts logistics team with Beata Sleightholme

23 May 2025

Tyron Runflat, inventor of the world’s only multipiece rubber Runflat system, is celebrating its latest team investment with the appointment of experienced Logistics & Administration Operative, Beata Sleightholme.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025