Johnson Matthey gets the gold for commitment to chemical engineering

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has presented Gold Corporate Partner status to speciality chemicals and technology company, Johnson Matthey. The presentation took place in Billingham, UK, on 21 September 2016.

From bronze to gold

Johnson Matthey employs over 560 chemical engineers worldwide and 300 in the United Kingdom and has contributed considerably to chemical engineering employment opportunities in the North East, North West and South of the UK. The company was awarded IChemE Bronze Corporate Partner in 2014, after showing a clear commitment to the next generation of engineers with its accredited graduate training programme. The leap to Gold Corporate Partner has been a result of further activity with young people and additional work championing chemical engineering professionalism.

Advocates of chemical engineering

Johnson Matthey's engineers are all encouraged to be advocates for the profession, and do so through various volunteering activities with local schools and careers fairs. Its Process Engineering Development Programme works with young people studying for their A-Levels who are looking to pursue an engineering career. The company also works with university students in partnership with the British Chemical Engineering Contractors Association (BCECA). It continues to develop engineers during their employment with Johnson Matthey, providing mentors to help them achieve Chartered Chemical Engineer status.

The upgrade to Gold Partnership will see Johnson Matthey join BP (energy), Ingen (consultancy), KBR (hydrocarbon) and Shell (energy) in the top category of IChemE corporate partnership.

Presenting the award, IChemE's Interim CEO Justin Blades said: "IChemE have worked closely with Johnson Matthey for many years, and I'm delighted to welcome the company to our growing list of Gold Corporate Partners. Chemical engineering matters at Johnson Matthey and the business has a long tradition of developing not only technology, but also its talent. It is encouraging to see a business so passionate about the future of our profession, and recognising that strong partnerships with the Institution will ensure that the future is bright."

"Johnson Matthey has a long tradition of developing not only technology, but also its talent. It is encouraging to see a business so passionate about the future of our profession." – Justin Blades, Interim CEO, IChemE

Bill Cotton, Principal Process Engineer at Johnson Matthey who also leads the company's engineering undergraduate training programme, said: "We are really pleased to be awarded IChemE's Gold Partner status. It's a great reflection of all the hard work the team has done to in engage young people, and develop our engineers. Chemical engineering is central to Johnson Matthey's success, and we feel we have a duty to invest in its future."

"Chemical engineering is central to Johnson Matthey's success, and we feel we have a duty to invest in its future." – Bill Cotton, Principal Process Engineer, Johnson Matthey

Looking toward the future, Johnson Matthey has pledged to work with IChemE on a video campaign to encourage more young engineers to become professionally Chartered. It is also a finalist for Chemical Engineering Industry Project of the Year at the IChemE Global Awards 2016, which take place on 3 November.

Find out more

• IChemE Corporate Partner Scheme

Enquiries

Tara Wilson, PR and Communications Manager, IChemE 
+44 17 8853 4454 
twilson@icheme.org

Sally Jones, Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Johnson Matthey 
+44 20 7269 8407 

About chemical engineers

Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, maths and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the products where chemical engineering plays a central role.

About IChemE

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) is the global professional membership organisation for people with relevant experience or an interest in chemical engineering. With a growing global membership of over 44,000, the Institution is at the heart of the process community, promoting competence and a commitment to best practice, advancing the discipline for the benefit of society, encouraging young people in science and engineering and supporting the professional development of its members. IChemE is the only organisation to award Chartered Chemical Engineer and Professional Process Safety Engineer status.

About Johnson Matthey

Johnson Matthey is a speciality chemicals company and a global leader in sustainable technologies. The company uses its expertise in advanced materials and technology to innovate and improve solutions that are valued by customers around the world.

Johnson Matthey technologies are designed to improve air quality and reduce emissions, conserve natural resources, and enhance quality of life.

Johnson Matthey prides itself on running in the most sustainable way both today and for the future. As it celebrates its 200 th year of operation in 2017, it continues to strive to do the right thing for the planet and the people and communities who share it.