Industry Placement Awards recognise outstanding achievements of NTU students and placement providers
On Tuesday 4 March 2025, colleagues were joined by students and employers at the Spring Careers Fair, for the latest edition of the Industry Placement Awards.
By Anna Georgiou | Published on 7 April 2025
Categories: Business; Current students; Student Showcase;
Colleagues, students and placement providers came together for the prestigious Industry Placement Awards ceremony in early March to celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of our placement students and providers during the 2023/24 academic year.
After receiving nominations through our annual placement student and provider surveys, six winners and three runners-up were selected by independent NTU staff panels. The selection process proved highly competitive as we received numerous outstanding nominations.
Over 843 employers benefited from the resource, skills, and knowledge of 1301 sandwich student placements throughout the 2023/24 academic year.
Nottingham Trent University congratulates all placement students and providers on their achievements during the 2023/24 academic year. We look forward to celebrating the latest cohort of exceptional talent next year.
Placement Student of the Year 2023/24 (at a small-sized business)
Winner: Grace Korican (BA Hons Graphic Design)
Placement Provider: Absolute Skincare Ltd
Nominated by: Susan Jones
- Creative Impact: Designed high-quality brochures and proposals that helped secure major client accounts.
- Brand Transformation: Elevated the company's social media presence, improving aesthetic appeal and engagement.
- Campaign Success: Led the "Summer Golden Glow" campaign, from photoshoot execution to final edits, delivering agency-level quality.
- Exceptional Talent: Recognised for outstanding graphic design skills, including advanced image editing and strategic branding.
Grace's innovative graphic designs have played a pivotal role in accelerating Skincare LTD’s business growth, elevating their brand presence to new heights.
Placement Student of the Year 2023/24 (at a medium/enterprise business)
Winner: Sam Cheal (BSc Quantity Surveying CCM)
Placement Provider: VolkerLaser
Nominated by: Sally Hill
- Cost Savings & Efficiency: Led a packaging fee recovery project, reclaiming £1.3M, and improved packaging processes to reduce costs.
- Data Accuracy & Process Improvement: Audited 570 SKUs, enhancing packaging data quality and standardising design principles.
- Innovation & Problem-Solving: Identified cost-saving opportunities and optimised packaging for retail distribution.
- Leadership & Recognition: Presented key findings to senior directors, earning high praise for professionalism and impact.
Sam has not only excelled in their role at VolkerLaser but also enriched our team with his positive attitude and dedication. I wholeheartedly support their nomination and am confident that they will continue to achieve great success in his future endeavours.
Placement Student of the Year 2023/24 (at a small-sized business) – Runner up
Winner: Chinmay Khadtare (MSc Engineering Management)
Placement Provider: Accessafe UK
Nominated by: Steve Morrow
- Process Automation: Streamlined quotations with an Excel-based system, improving efficiency and response times.
- Project Management: Introduced structured planning, ensuring smooth execution of major projects like Siemens & Caterpillar.
- Digital Growth: Led social media, SEO, and Google Ads, generating £25,000 in online business.
- Technical Innovation: Designed customised safety solutions using GuardaCAD for clients like ArcelorMittal & Red Bull.
- Career Impact: Earned a full-time role and Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for outstanding contributions.
Chinmay’s placement demonstrated his exceptional ability to bridge academic theory and practical application. By developing innovative solutions, improving processes, and driving results, he showcased the value of academic learning in achieving real-world success.
Placement Student of the Year 2023/24 (at a small-sized business) – Runner up
Winner: Mattie Dennis (BSc Building Surveying)
Placement Provider: Lea Hough & Co LLP
Nominated by: Paul Dignan
- Exceptional Initiative & Responsibility: From early on, Mattie independently managed clients and projects with minimal supervision, an uncommon level of trust for a placement student.
- Diverse Technical Experience: He engaged in a wide array of Building Surveying tasks including specification writing, contract administration under JCT, principal designer roles under both CDM and new Building Safety Regulations, and more.
- Notable Projects: He led a unique gravestone condition survey for Preston City Council and single-handedly managed a school condition survey in Manchester, showcasing leadership and technical reporting skills.
- Strong Work Ethic & Commitment: During peak periods, Mattie worked extra hours and travelled weekly between university and work, even working Saturdays to meet project deadlines.
Mattie always has a positive ‘can-do’ attitude towards his work and has the ability to make independent decisions and take responsibility. During his placement year with us, he didn’t shy away from potentially difficult situations/clients/contractors and met the challenge of these head-on. He persevered through challenges and was willing to step out of his comfort zone.
Placement Student of the Year 2023/24 (at a medium/enterprise business) – Runner up
Winner: Finn Miller (BSc Product Design)
Placement Provider: Kingfisher
Nominated by: Neil Watson
- Demonstrated strong commercial acumen and attention to detail: Recovered £1.3M in overpaid packaging fees through a major cost recovery project.
- Proven ability to drive cost efficiency and process improvement: Optimised packaging processes by leading cost reduction initiatives and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Showcased leadership and ability to influence business practices: Led a pilot auditing project for 570 SKUs, which has since been adopted as standard business practice.
- Highlighted strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement: Developed packaging design and project principles, presenting them to senior directors to streamline retail packaging strategies.
Finn is highly mature for his years, he brought a lot to the team and the projects he worked on whether that be touching and supporting of the Structural Engineers, working on process, or fully implementing and leading on significant individual pieces of work via our Trade and Fixing programs.
Placement Student of the Year 2023/24 (at a medium/enterprise business) – Runner up
Winner: Saad Choudry – BSc Chemistry
Placement Provider: Syensqo
Nominated by: Louise Hawley
- Applying Academic Knowledge – Saad extended the shelf life of materials by executing detailed test plans, turning theory into real business improvements.
- Proactive & Versatile – He took on additional responsibilities, from equipment commissioning to suggesting procedure improvements.
- Strong Work Ethic – Saad’s precision, reliability, and planning ensured smooth workflow, even during his absence.
- Impact & Leadership – Saad adapted to various roles, championed health & safety through COSHH audits, and became a trusted team member whose absence was strongly felt.
Saad distinguished himself remarkably during his placement, standing out in comparison to peers through his exceptional adaptability, work ethic, and commitment to excellence.
Placement Provider of the Year 2023/24
Metropolitan Police and their placement student.
Winner: Metropolitan Police Service
Nominated by: Ella Eastlake
The Metropolitan Police delivered an exceptional experience through its Forensic Research Assistant placement. As part of MO4’s first-ever student cohort, Ella worked on high-impact research projects within the Fingerprint Bureau and Enhancement Lab, gaining hands-on experience across multiple forensic disciplines.
With strong support from supervisors, Ella was trusted to work independently while receiving structured training, shadowing opportunities, and regular mentoring. The placement also included opportunities to present to senior staff, contribute to STEM outreach, and shape the future of the scheme through valuable feedback.
This placement stood out for its depth, impact, and professional integration, offering real responsibility, expert guidance, and a genuine commitment to student development in a live forensic environment.
Throughout my placement, I received exceptional support from my supervisor and the Fingerprint Consultant, which allowed me to pursue projects independently while building my leadership and project management skills. The entire FEL team was highly engaged and provided invaluable expertise, fostering strong working relationships that significantly enhanced my academic and professional forensic awareness.
Placement Provider of the Year 2023/24 (medium business)
Left to right - Mike Andrews and David Pius.
Winner: CEMEX UK
Nominated by: David Pius
Through their Process & Continuous Improvement Engineer placement, CEMEX UK provided their student, David, with invaluable hands-on experience in key sustainability projects such as hydrogen fuel feasibility and waste heat recovery using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology, and optimising energy efficiency in cement production. Their focus on sustainability through initiatives like the 'Future in Action' program ensures that students work on real-world solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in the industry. The comprehensive training and mentorship he received not only bridged his academic knowledge with real-world applications but also significantly boosted his employability.
CEMEX UK not only provided an enriching learning experience but also demonstrated a profound commitment to nurturing talent, setting an exemplary standard for placement providers.
Placement Provider of the Year 2023/24 (enterprise business)
Winner: Hugo Boss
Nominated by: Mae Woelfle
Hugo Boss's role of Product Development & Buying Intern at the company’s global headquarters set a benchmark for industry excellence. Throughout the year, the Mae was given real responsibility - from developing garments seen in global campaigns to independently managing the final buy for a full menswear line across 165 stores in Europe and the Middle East, including Harrods and John Lewis. With structured onboarding, personalised training through the HUGO BOSS Academy, and consistent mentorship from supervisors and senior leaders, the placement offered a perfect balance of support and challenge. Mae's growth - from participating in fittings to leading meetings, preparing data analysis, and even influencing colour changes in bestselling products reflects the company’s dedication to meaningful learning. Hugo Boss created not just a placement, but a launchpad for future fashion professionals, making this role a standout example of why they were honoured with this award.
During these 12 months I have learned and grown so much and cannot thank everyone enough for trusting and believing in my input, knowledge, and skills.
Find out more about working with NTU
To find out more about working with NTU, accessing students and support with your placement roles, explore our student recruitment page or contact us directly via talent@ntu.ac.uk.
Notes for Editors
The philosophy of the Placement Student of the Year Award is to showcase the amazing students who have made a genuine, measurable impact and difference to businesses across the UK, and internationally, whilst on placement.
These placements provide the opportunity for our students to spend up to 12 months working in industry, giving them an insight into their career potential, and early access to professional experience. We think it is invaluable in developing much sought-after work-based skills, helping them ultimately to secure a Graduate career.
The Placement Provider of the Year Awards celebrate the outstanding achievement of organisations, and the contributions of managers, mentors and work colleagues who provide a wealth of knowledge, experience, and support to our students.
These awards are an opportunity for NTU to thank the stakeholders who make the placement experiences possible. The businesses in these categories are nominated by the students themselves.