Innovators and organisations for prestigiousWelsh awards

William Watkins, Radnor Hills The Radnor Hills Water Company was founded by William Watkins in 1990 when he began bottling water from a spring on his family farm and supplying cuplets to the airline industry.

The company, a significant employer in rural mid Wales, has around 180 employees and, as well as offering a product development service for private label customers, produces a range of own-brand drinks products – from bottled water to juices and soft drinks.

Innovation, Science & Technology

grown to become an award-winning internationally recognised IT services company, currently employing more than 80.

Year on year, they are strengthening their client portfolio, working with global multi-national companies and public sector departments, while investing in training and development for staff – which has resulted in an academy offering apprenticeships, internships and graduate placements.

IQE Dr Drew Nelson co-founded IQE in 1988 and has led the Welsh semiconductor company to become an international world leader in the supply of epitaxial wafers for a wide range of products. Dr Nelson has been actively driving the establishment of the world’s first Compound Semiconductor Cluster in Wales, which is one of the biggest science activities in Wales at the moment.

Sure Chill Sure Chill is a ground-breaking cooling technology company set to revolutionise the way the world cools.

Unlike conventional refrigerators, Sure Chill technology doesn’t need constant power. It harnesses a natural phenomenon in water to store energy, enabling weeks of continuous cooling without the need for constant power.

The company has support from two of the world’s leading foundations: the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Shell Foundation, who recognise Sure Chill’s unprecedented potential in helping solve separate global challenges.

Sure Chill is now in partnership discussions with some of the world’s largest brands to help solve their cooling and energy challenges.

International

Angela Gorman Angela set up Life for African Mothers in 2006, formally called Hope for Grace Kodindo.

Angela goes to Africa to provide help directly to mothers and babies in the some of the poorest communities, and is tireless in her efforts to ensure safe pregnancies and births for women unable to access essential care and medication. Gôl! The charitable organisation, above, is run by fans of the Welsh national football team.

Since its creation Gôl! has visited children’s homes and hospitals in more than 40 countries and has run coaching sessions from New York to Africa.

Gôl! was founded by fans who “wanted to make a difference” and to thank the countries where Wales was playing for the welcome they received.

In 2017, they made the fourth of its charity drives, this time to Georgia, donating gifts to children’s homes along the way. Mike & Colette Hughes, Rwanda Rwanda UK Goodwill Organisation to support development in Rwanda.

In 2004, Mike was appointed as the Rwandan Government adviser on science, technology and innovation.

The country is now a leader in Africa in using science, technology and innovation as a key driver for growth and development and the alleviation of poverty.

Mike regularly represents the Rwandan Government at major international summits, showcasing Rwanda’s success in using science and technology to support economic development and reduce poverty.

The Phoenix Project One of Cardiff University’s flagship engagement projects, the Phoenix Project, above, works with communities in Cardiff, Wales and beyond in health, education and poverty reduction.

Sport

Aled Davies MBE Aled is the triple world champion and double Paralympic Gold Medal winner for discus and shot put who has proved to be an inspirational role model for young Wales.

Aled won a gold and bronze medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and gold at Rio 2016.

In the 2017 London World Paraathletics Championship, Aled went on to set a new world record of 17.52m to win gold in the F42 shot put.

Having already claimed gold in the F42 discus, it was the third time in succession the 26-year-old Welshman has triumphed in both events at the competition. Sion people from

Alun Wyn Jones The Wales rugby captain and British & Irish Lions player began his rugby career playing for Bonymaen RFC.

Making his debut for Wales in June 2006 against Argentina, he was a member of the Wales side that completed the Grand Slam in the 2008 Six Nations, toured New Zealand last summer with the Lions, and remains a stalwart Ospreys.

Hollie Arnold MBE, main picture Hollie is the current Paralympic and double IPC World Champion and world record holder for the F46 javelin.

In 2008, she was the youngest member of the Great Britain Paralympics Team at the Beijing Olympic Games at the age of 14.

In 2011 Hollie stepped up to the senior level representing Britain at the IPC Athletics World Championships where she won the bronze medal in the F46 javelin, and in 2012, she took part in her second Paralympic Games, in London.

In 2016 Hollie took part in her third Paralympics where she won gold with a world recordbreaking throw, and in July 2017 she won gold at the 2017 IPC Athletics Wold Championships in London – beating her own world record.

Hollie was made an MBE in 2017 in recognition of her inspirational sporting achievements, and was recently confirmed for Team Wales for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Young Person

for the

Bethany Roberts Bethany became a youth representative on Milford Haven Town Council and chair of the Pembrokeshire Youth Council.

As part of her role on the youth council, she has helped organise many social events for older people and participated in committee meetings at the National Assembly for Wales and Westminster to ensure the voice of young people is being heard.

Jasmine Williams After witnessing her first experience of homelessness in her county over Christmas 2016, Jasmine has gone on to raise £2,774.14 after working to raise money to help other homeless people in her county borough.

Mercy Ngulube The former chairwoman of the Children’s HIV Association’s Youth Committee drives campaigns on behalf of young people living with HIV.

Mercy has been a spokeswoman for young people living with HIV both nationally and internationally.