The Distinguished Water, Energy and Environment Alumni Award: Celebrating the long-term achievements of outstanding alumni.
The Distinguished Water, Energy, Environment and Design Alumni Award is one of Cranfield University’s highest honours. It recognises those individuals who have achieved significant success within their industry/sector, while upholding the highest standards in industry practice.
Alumni who have won this award will have:
- Sustained professional achievement at the highest levels, preferably extending into the year of selection: professional achievement may be viewed in terms of:
- Technology/engineering leadership.
- Achieving transformational change in an organisation.
- Significant and successful project management.
- Contribution to company profitability, job creation and project management.
- Significant impact on their industry and sector, beyond their own role and organisation.
- International visibility: influence/experience working across different geographic regions.
- Exhibited positive role model behaviours and highest standards of business practice.
- Demonstrated innovation and creativity.
- Achieved other awards and recognitions.
- A previous relationship with Cranfield or be committed to supporting Cranfield in the future.
Meet the 2024 Distinguished Water, Energy and Environment Alumni Award Winner
Charan Sekhon MBE (MSc Energy Conservation and the Environment 1998)
Senior Environment Officer for the Environment Agency and has led environmental projects and EDI-related projects in East Anglia
Born in Punjab, India, Charan's early life in a rural village with limited access to education motivated him to create the SEVA Trust. As the Founder and Chairman, he has made significant contributions to education, health, welfare, and environmental initiatives in the UK and India.
Charan’s commitment to public service is further exemplified by more than 20 years’ experience as a local councillor. His involvement extends to various youth, charity, and sports projects, including fundraising campaigns and participating in the London Marathon to support individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Charan led a team of volunteers in Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, and Hertfordshire to assist hundreds of vulnerable families, rough-sleepers, and isolated international students with food and essential items. His efforts particularly supported Cranfield University students and the local community.
The relentless dedication to charity and environmental causes, and support for his local community earned Charan an MBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List. He has also been recognised with several national and regional awards, including the ‘British Asian Pride of Britain Award’ at the House of Commons, the ‘Volunteer Fundraiser Award’ by the Papworth Trust, and the Cambridge and Bedford Mayor’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ Award for outstanding community and charity services.
Charan's exemplary career and personal life reflect his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on communities and society as a whole.
Meet the 2023 Distinguished Water, Energy and Environment Alumni Award Winner
Peter Vale (MSc Water Pollution Control Technology 1995)
Carbon & Circular Economy Architect, Severn Trent
Peter has played a formative role in the implementation of many technologies which are now to be found in operation worldwide. His current area of focus is on developing and evaluating technologies that will deliver low carbon, low energy, material recovery treatment flowsheets that will help Severn Trent deliver its net zero commitments.
His leadership of the wastewater research portfolio at Severn Trent has seen the development of the tools and technologies required to make the idea of energy-neutral wastewater treatment a reality. Delivering this vision has involved taking an international view of the innovation landscape. Peter is a genuine influencer and thought leader within the European water sector, having played a prominent role in several EU-funded projects. He has represented Severn Trent on a number of key international research programmes and has developed strong industry-academic partnerships.
Peter’s wider engagement with the sector is reflected in his commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers and technologists. He is a mentor for Severn Trent’s CIWEM training scheme and supports a scholarship programme by mentoring engineering students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
