SEIFSA CEO's Award
Neil Penson receives prestigious award for his contribution to the industry
We’re proud to announce that our own Neil Penson has been presented with a prestigious award. This took place at the third annual Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) Awards for Excellence. He was presented the coveted CEO’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Federation and Industry. Neil is Babcock’s company secretary and an executive committee member. We know all too well the good work he does and believe he is truly a worthy recipient of this prestigious award.
Babcock manages critically important assets for our clients but we only get this right by protecting our very own vital assets - our staff. So, when any member of our team is recognised for their excellence in the industry, the entire company feels the win.
An active industry player
Neil joined Babcock in March 2001 and since has served as a Director on the Board of Babcock Africa Services and Babcock Ntuthuko Engineering. In 2011, he took on the role of Company Secretary for the companies in the Africa Division. Neil is an active participant in many other professional bodies within the engineering sector. Neil is currently a non-executive director at Project Management South Africa (PMSA).He has previously held non-executive leadership roles in the steel and engineering industry, including a non-executive directorship on the SEIFSA board and was vice president of SEIFSA in 2016.
SEIFSA acknowledges the excellence of companies in the sector
The SEIFSA Awards for Excellence is an exclusive and prestigious event that was launched in 2015. It invites manufacturers who are operational in the Southern African metals and engineering sector to submit nominations for their completed projects from the previous calendar year. These projects must suit any one of the seven categories available for judging. On 26 May this year, almost 100 guests from various entities within the metals and engineering sector, were welcomed to enjoy an evening of celebration. Many companies, small and large, were honoured for their excellent work in the sector.
When companies excel within this crucial sector, the whole country and sub-Sahara African region are boosted. This distinguished event was created to encourage, motivate and inspire companies to grow in their capabilities and reach superior standards with their offering. What’s more, an event like this is an opportunity for everyone operating in the sector to tip their hats at those who’ve achieved excellence and who are actively raising the standards within the industry.
Kaizer Nyatsumba, CEO of SEIFSA, presented his CEO award and spoke of Neil’s character, professionalism and leadership abilities. He said: “A soft-spoken man, Mr Penson was always a voice of reason both in Board and SEIFSA council meetings. At a time when others pushed other agendas, he was always clear that, as a board member, his primary loyalty was to SEIFSA, to which he had a fiduciary duty as Board Member. He was always constructive in his views and steadfastly supportive of the SEIFSA leadership team.”