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 professionals groups in the UK, with over 26,000 members. The group organises events and provides services from lectures and debates to networking evenings, various competitions, college bursaries and awards.

Whilst 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 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

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 2008
Chris Barford, IBM UK Ltd
Sarah Christie, Procter & Gamble
Jonathan Hewes, Mouchel
Andrew Hurn, Lincolnshire Police
Gordon Lambe, Towry Law
Simon Mroczkowski, Capgemini
Victoria O'Reilly, Allianz Insurance plc
Luke Robison, IBM UK Ltd
Kelly Webb, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
Paul Wise, FDM Group plc - sub contracted to ABN Amro 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, The 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

Marilyn Curzon presents information about YPG SkillCentre at the Group's AGM in 2005.

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 an expansion to the YPG SkillCentre event series and comprises events with two parts; offering attendees the opportunity to network whilst 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 employeers 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 the 23rd 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

References

External links

• YPG - Official Site
• British Computer Society - Official Site
• Young Solicitors Group - Official Site
• IRO Young Professionals Site

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