Last year was a busy year for TEaM and its members. As well as the social events, workplace tours and various workshops hosted by TEaM, there were also many other notable achievements, including our members winning top awards!

Earlier this year Nicola Begley won the PSS Distinguished Achievement Award for 2017, with Anthony Steel and Neil O’Hara as runners-up. Laura Farrell, a technician in Manchester’s Stoller Biomarker Discovery Centre, won an award for her continuing professional development from the Science Council. Jennifer Haworth was made first named author on a paper, resulting in her being nominated for the national Papin Award by her academic for her work, for which she won. Most recently, Clare McManus won the Proteintech Group Best Lab Manager Award 2017 as the only UK nomination to make it into the top 5 selected for voting. Congratulations to all these worthy winners!

Back in May the Science Council launched an initiative entitled the ‘Technician Commitment’ and Manchester was approached to pledge their commitment from the outset. In September, Manchester became one of the founding members.

In April/May, the University received an ‘Apprenticeship 4 England Bronze Award’ for our Technical Apprenticeship Programme.

In July, the Executive Group engaged with the Gatsby Foundation’s ‘Technicians Make It Happen’ initiative and started to explore the potential benefits associated with the initiative and how it may complement the ‘Technicians Commitment’.

In the Autumn, Nancy Rothwell, the University President & Vice-Chancellor, issued a supporting statement for TEaM which demonstrated that TEaM is wholly recognised by senior University management. It acknowledges the contribution we make, as technical staff, to research and teaching, and recognises our contribution to meeting the growing needs of the University in looking forward.

I am certain there are many other worthy achievements to be celebrated. We are always looking for contributions to bring together technical staff from all areas of the University, to share our achievements and celebrate our vital contribution to teaching and research within our University and beyond.

Rae Watkins (Chair)