Wikipedia / British Computer Society Young Professionals Group
Wikipedia / British Computer Society Young Professionals Group
The British Computer Society Young Professionals Group (YPG) was formed in 1986 (although its roots date back to around 1983) to provide representation and support to younger members of the IT profession. Today, the group is one of the largest and arguably one of the most influential young professional groups in the UK, with over 26,000 members. The group organises events and provides services ranging from lectures and debates to networking evenings, various competitions, college bursaries, and awards.
While support is provided from the British Computer Society, the group's leadership is run primarily by volunteers from the younger membership of the British Computer Society, which form the YPG's executive committee and network of regional representatives.
Young IT Practitioner of the Year
The YPG judges, promotes and awards the Young IT Practitioner of the Year Award along with naming the annual British Computer Society Medal Winners. This underlines one of the YPG's key roles: to nurture and applaud individual ingenuity and entrepreneurial success that have made the British IT industry a leading global player. The awards mark the vital contribution made by young people to the IT profession.
Former winners of the award
2010 — Meri Williams, Procter & Gamble
2009 — Jacques Erasmus, Prevx
2008 — Sarah Christie, Procter & Gamble
2007 — Travers Powell, Vocalink
2006 — Saqib Shaikh, Microsoft Corporation
2005 — Andrew McAnulla, BTL Group Ltd
2004 — Karen Elizabeth Petrie, NASA
2003 — James Bailey, Eclipse Internet
Former medal winners
2010
Adam Thompson, IBM UK Ltd
Dominic Green, Microsoft
2009
Luke Claughton, Micheldever Tyre Services Ltd
Riyaz Patel, Yorkshire Water
2008
Victoria O'Reilly, Allianz Insurance plc
Luke Robison, IBM UK Ltd
2007
Kate Scott, Premier Inn - Whitbread Group plc
Chris Dale, IBM UK Ltd.
2006
Paul Cheek, TeamSpirit Software Ltd
Mark Alexander, Graham Technology Plc
Iain McGinniss, Graham Technology Plc
2005
Verity Wiscarson, IBM UK Ltd.
Graham Marwick, IBM UK Ltd.
Steven Henderson, Royal Bank of Scotland Group
2004
Nicolas Eggleton, The Pensions Trust
Lee Englestone, AstraZeneca
Keith Sutcliffe, Steptronik UK
2003
Richard Clayton, B Mason & Sons
Steven Henderson, Royal Bank of Scotland Group
David Hewitt, James Hamilton Group
SkillCentre
The YPG runs an event series called 'YPG SkillCentre'. These events tend to help attendees still in the earlier stages of their career explore and develop skill areas that are typically untaught and/or neglected in the IT industry, such as advice on body language and tips on how to negotiate a pay rise. The series, established by YPG Chairman Andrew Brown in 2003, has since trained hundreds of IT professionals.
Past events have included popular speakers such as the author of The Naked Leader, David Tayor, Chris Croft, and Craig Goldblatt.
ProNetworking
ProNetworking is an event series established by YPG Chairman Christopher Moxon in 2006 as an expansion of the YPG SkillCentre event series. It comprises events in two parts, offering attendees the opportunity to network while the second part brings together a top panel of IT professionals to share their secrets of success with the audience.
YPG OneTeam
YPG OneTeam was a project run by the YPG to consolidate the YPG's representation efforts at national and local levels.
WorkLink
Worklink was an online interactive database that allowed students to search for IT work placements. Notable employers using the service included, Buckingham Palace.
History of the group
The YPG was originally established by students from Thames Polytechnic (now the University of Greenwich) in 1984. By 1985, the group had over 250 members and in 1986 on 23 April the YPG's Constitution was ratified and the group held its inaugural conference organised by Barbara McManus.
Historical listing of Chairs of the YPG
See also
References
External links