In making the selection the Academy selects individuals who have the desire and the capability to reach the top of engineering or manufacturing businesses and who, once established will lead their companies as successful and competitive operations.

Attending the European Congress of Chemical Engineering in the Hague and gaining international working exposure in Asia are just two things which Dan has chosen to do with the Award.

Speaking about his success Dan said: “ I was thrilled to be given the award. The selection process was tough. After getting through the written exercise I was then invited to an interview weekend. It was attended by the 70 top applicants for the award, as well as fellows of the Royal Academy, previous award holders and Sainsbury's management fellows. I took part in various activities during the 2 days before having my panel interview. The interview itself was a very enjoyable experience, it was great to meet other driven engineering undergraduates similar to myself. Competition was very fierce, so I was just myself and answered questions truthfully and gave my opinions, what weren't necessarily the same views as others.

“ The great thing about the award is that you choose what you want to do. I have attended the annual training event in Birmingham in September, and I am attending the European Congress of Chemical Engineering in the Hague in Holland in April. With the rest of my award I hope to gain international working exposure in Asia over the summer, and then increase my business knowledge by doing a course in the near future.

“ I'm currently completing a Year in Industry with Valero at Pembroke Refinery, as a part of their engineering bursary scheme. After that I will be returning to Swansea to complete my MEng, and then I'm looking to get a graduate position in the oil and gas industry as a process engineer, from there I'm looking to become a future leader in the oil & gas industry.”

Dan’s Lecturer Dr Paul Williams said: “Dan has been a great asset to the Chemical Engineering Portfolio at Swansea. He was instrumental in setting up the Chemical Engineering Society and was chair of the committee which organized the IChemE Frank Morton Sports Day at Swansea. The Advanced Leadership Award is well deserved.”

The Advanced Awards offer a unique opportunity for undergraduate engineering students to achieve their full career potential and become the leaders of the future. The benefits are:

•  Up to £5,000 funding over a period of three years for training and personal development
•  A senior industrialist mentor for the duration of the course
•  Support in developing your bespoke personal development plan to advance you in your chosen career
•  A network of like minded high flyers and established industrial professionals of high career potential
• Regular complimentary training events and development opportunities