The woman behind small sensors gets a big gong sponsored by Vodafone.
Heba Bevan OBE, founder of smart sensor company UtterBerry, has been recognised with the Woman of the Year Innovation Award, sponsored by Vodafone.
UtteryBerry’s low-power sensors monitor loads on structures such as bridges. They’re already being used in vast civil engineering projects such as Crossrail and the Thames Tideway Tunnel (London’s so-called ‘supersewer’).
Ms Bevan said: “It is an incredible honour for my work to have been recognised in this way. Since I was a child I have had a love for engineering, problem solving and invention. This love drove me to work extremely hard in my studies and to go into a line of work where I have often been the only woman in the room.”
Ms Bevan was also the only woman on her electronics and engineering degree course at university.
She added: “Women have so much to give to the world in so many ways, and I would like to express my extreme gratitude to Women of the Year for its invaluable role in recognising women’s achievements and for helping to open closed doors to enable women to more fully contribute their talents to society.”
The Women of the Year Awards were established in 1955, the first event of its kind, not only to celebrate and inspire women of all backgrounds, but to provide them with networking opportunities. Previous winners of the Vodafone Woman of the Year Innovation Award include space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock in 2019.
Shelley Malton, Vodafone UK said, “Our ambition at Vodafone, is to be the very best employer for women. As part of this, sharing ideas and championing female innovators – not only within our own organisation but the industry as a whole – is key.
“It’s fantastic to see Heba Bevan (OBE) and Utterberry win Vodafone’s Woman of the Year Innovation Award. We hope that together we can inspire more women to excel in the tech sector.”
Stay up-to-date with the very latest news from Vodafone by following us on Twitter and signing up for News Centre website notifications.
