The winners will be revealed on the 14th May at the annual Gas Awards taking place at the London Hilton, Park Lane.

This year the judges received the highest number of nominations with fierce competition across all categories.

A judging panel comprising of leading figures from across the transmission, distribution and downstream sectors, had the unenviable task of whittling down the extremely high standards of entries to a shortlist of 28 individuals and companies.

Chris Clarke, IGEM President Elect and Chair of Judges, said: “Once again we have had the unenviable task of trying to pick just 28 nominees out of nearly 100 high calibre applications. The quality of nominations this year was stunning, and while our job was not easy, we are confident that the shortlist represents the absolute best and brightest the gas industry has to offer.

With over 30 nominations in the Innovation category alone, this just goes to show how the gas industry is determined to advance itself in every way possible while delivering on its commitment to safety and customer service.”

Vic Tuffen, President of EUA, said: "When you have an industry that is crammed full of talented people and exceptional companies such as ours, no one can deny that it’s a huge honour to be nominated for these awards.

On Behalf of EUA and IGEM, I would like to wish all of the shortlisted nominees the best of luck and we look forward to seeing them at the Park Lane Hilton on May 14^th for what promises to be a spectacular event."

The event will be attended by over 600 senior representatives of the gas industry and the keynote speech will be given by Ofgem Chief Executive, Dermot Nolan.

The finalists are:

Manager of the Year - sponsored by

• Dave Bendle, British Gas
• Martin Donnachie, Fulcrum
• Tracey McIntyre, SGN Limited

Engineer of the Year - sponsored by British Gas

• Mark Bartlett, Express Pipe Laying & Repairs Limited
• Chris Magness, Wales & West Utilities
• Alan Midwinter, SGN Limited

Safety Award - sponsored by GISG

• Andy Martin, National Grid and Jonathan Southall, Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicles
• British Gas Safety Team
• SGN, Safety is Just a Click Stick Away

Innovation Award - sponsored by DNV GL

• Andy Martin, National Grid and Jonathan Southall, Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicles
• British Gas Hive
• Northern Gas Networks

Customer Service Award - sponsored by Domestic and General

• Northern Gas Networks
• SGN, Customer service – “Keep calm and carry on in a crisis”
• Wales & West Utilities

Company of the Year Award - sponsored by Towngas

• Fulcrum
• SGN Limited
• Steve Vick International
• Synthotech Limited

Leadership Award - sponsored by

• Dave Bendle, Centrica
• Alfred Chan Wong Kin, Towngas
• Fulcrum’s “Leading the Way” programme

Young Persons' Achievement Award - sponsored by Morrison Utility Services

• Carly Gilchrist, Fulcrum
• Rhiannon Williams, Wales & West Utilities
• Sam Wilson, SGN Limited

Energy Efficiency - sponsored by GPS PE Pipe Systems

• British Gas
• Capita
• Phoenix Natural Gas Limited