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Graham Harrison receives special recognition at industry awards

Composites UK Industry Awards 2024

31 October 2024

The prestigious Composites UK Industry Awards 2024 took place at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham on 30 October, celebrating the remarkable achievements and innovations within the UK composites sector. The awards honoured companies and individuals across a variety of categories, recognising their contributions to advancing composite technology, sustainability, and social responsibility.

The National Composites Centre (NCC), and Composites UK, are delighted to recognise the work and achievements of Graham Harrison, by presenting him with the 2024 Special Recognition Award.

On 13 June, Graham retired from the NCC following a career which spanned 42 years.

Before joining the NCC, Graham’s career spanned various roles, including time with Albert Harrison - a family business that remains strong after 105 years and is the world’s largest producer of banknote paper, a division of a NYSE-listed paper and packaging company, the SETsquared Partnership, and the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA).

One of the RDA’s notable projects was the establishment of the National Composites Centre, made possible with support from Airbus, GE Aviation UK, GKN Aerospace, Leonardo (formerly Augusta Westland), Vestas,
Umeco (now part of Solvay), the UK Government, the University of Bristol, the European Regional Development Fund, and the RDA itself.

Thirteen years on, the NCC is helping companies of all sizes across the UK to design and manufacture better products more efficiently and at lower costs. It is making a real-world impact, with some customers introducing products that consume less energy, while others develop means to generate renewable power or store carbon-free fuels.

This success has been made possible by successive governments recognising the importance of innovation. The Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology,
along with support for Innovate UK, the Aerospace Technology Institute, and the West of England Combined Authority, have helped unlock private sector R&D investment, which has traditionally lagged behind other G7 nations.

Graham left the NCC in excellent hands at a time of both great challenges and opportunities. The NCC boasts a strong leadership team and depth of talent, with staff from across the UK and EU, as well as a pipeline of brilliant graduates and apprentices who bring energy and diversity to the business.

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