To issue to business press/ STEM
EMBARGOED 30 NOVEMBER 2012
CEO WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR INSPIRING WOMEN INTO ENGINEERING
The CEO of a geotechnical consultancy has won a prestigious WISE award for his leadership in inspiring women into engineering; just 6 % of engineers are women.
Fewer than one in five people who work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics jobs
(STEM) are female, despite being very good at it - a higher percentage of girls than boys achieved the top A* - C grades in all STEM subjects at ‘A’ level in 2012.
1
Nick Langdon, CEO of Card Geotechnics Ltd, was presented the inaugural WISE CEO Charter
Champion Award by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, at a high profile ceremony on 29
November at The Institution of Technology and Engineering.
The WISE Awards, in association with Amey , celebrate the achievements by women throughout their careers as well as leadership from companies who have taken steps to attract and develop women in
STEM within their organisation.
The CEO Charter Champion, sponsored by EADS, is a new category designed to champion leaders in business with a visible commitment to positive practices in gender equality from the very top.
Winner Nick Langdon said: “The business case for gender equality is not one of how do we justify the employment of women engineers, but one of why on earth would we preclude considering over 50% of the population and some of the brightest graduates available to UK plc. The CGL ethos is to employ the person; salaries or benefits of all staff employed are paid on merit and we look to employ the best.”
1 At A Level, a higher percentage of girls than boys achieved A*-C grades in all STEM subjects – ranging from
69% - 59% in ICT to 91% - 89% in Further Mathematics. Source: Joint Council for Qualifications 2012 provisional results.

More than two thirds of working age women in the UK with a STEM degree do not work in STEM occupations; less than one in five of people who work in STEM occupations in the UK are female.
Arup, a global firm of consulting engineers, was highly commended in the awards.
Trudy Norris-Grey, Chair of WISE, said: “WISE works hard to help businesses attract, retain and progress talented women. Championing diversity is relevant to businesses of all sizes who want to get the best people working for them. The WISE awards shows how much can be achieved for the
UK by individuals with passion, determination and imagination.”
The awards, presented by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at London’s Institute of Engineering and Technology, also featured the Women of Outstanding Achievement Awards (WoOA).
Mel Ewell, CEO for Amey said: “At Amey we believe it is vital to nurture and develop the workforce of tomorrow. Our commitment to this is not only evident through our apprentice and graduate programmes but also through our STEM engagement programme. Amey is extremely proud to be the headline sponsor of the 2012 WISE Awards.”
PLEASE NOTE: Photos and film clips of each winner are available and interviews can be set up pre or post-awards with winners. Please contact Pollyanna Dawber at WISE for more: p.dawber@wisecampaign.org.uk
or call Cicada Communications on 01423 567111, email:
Ann@cicada-comms.com
Notes to Editors
About WISE
WISE provides training and consultancy to schools, colleges, business and industry to help them attract, retain and develop female talent in science, engineering, technology and the built environment. Find out more at www.wisecampaign.org.uk
or ring 01274 724 009.
WISE is an independent Community Interest Company which reinvests any surplus funds back into the campaign.