George Imafidon

George Imafidon (born 23rd March 1997), is a humanitarian engineer and entrepreneur. He was named as Young Engineer of the Year by the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2022, and a recipient of the Diana Award in 2019 for his work."Outstanding Young Heroes". The Diana Award. 1 July 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2023. He is the co-founder of Motivez, which works to connect young people to STEM-related careers. 
==Early life and education==
George Imafidon was born on 23rd March 1997 in Peckham, South London, to Nigerian parents. His interest in go-karting and racing led him to choose engineering amongst his other subjects at GCSE level, at Kingsdale Foundation School. He sat his A-Levels in Maths, Physics and Chemistry at Richmond Upon Thames College.
George was a recipient of the Amos Bursary, a scholarship founded by the former UN Under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs & Emergency Relief, Baroness Valerie Amos LG, CH, PC, for academically-gifted African and Caribbean boys."George Imafidon, Peer Award for Social Equity". The Amos Bursary. Retrieved April 18, 2023. He was also a recipient of the full-tuition scholarship by Southwark Council to study Mechanical Engineering with Programming at UCL.Porter, Toby (2 January 2018). "Inspiring youngsters to achieve goals". London News Online. Retrieved April 18, 2023 He graduated from UCL with a First Class master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, and was awarded the Best Dissertation Prize, Best Project Award, and Best Project certificate for an aerospace invention by IMechE."George Imafidon named Young Engineer of the Year". University College London. 29 July 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
==Career==
===Motivez===
George co-founded Motivez in 2015 to deliver employability and advocacy programmes to support young people access careers in STEMParsons, Jeff (25 October 2022). "From fixing bikes in Peckham to Lewis Hamilton’s race team: George Imafidon is a Black success story". Metro. Retrieved April 18, 2023. The organisation has worked with over 8,000 young people over the course of 7 years, and has been featured in the Sunday Times, the Evening Standard, and New Scientist.
===Team X44===
George joined Team X44 as a Trackside Performance Engineer in December 2020. Team X44 was formed by Lewis Hamilton to provide future drivers, engineers and technicians with opportunities, whilst also highlighting core issues of sustainability and climate change facing the planet."Sustainability". Extreme E. Retrieved April 18, 2023. 
In 2022, George and Team X44 became World Champions by winning the Extreme E championship alongside Sébastian Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez after two attempts."Lewis Hamilton’s X44 Vida Carbon Racing claim first Extreme E title in rollercoaster second season". Extreme E. 27 November 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
===Board memberships===	
George also currently serves on the Board of the Co-op Foundation, which aims to represent the voice of young people and fund underserved communities.Mortimer, Andy (17 November 2021). "Co-op Foundation recruits two new young trustees". Co-op Foundation. Retrieved April 18th 2023. 
==Recognition==
* 2017: "Rare Rising Stars: Top 10 Black Students", Rare Recruitment"Rare Rising Stars 2017". Rare Recruitment. Retrieved April 18 2023. 
* 2019: "The Diana Award", The Diana Award "Outstanding Young Heroes". The Diana Award. 1 July 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
* 2022: Royal Academy of Engineering"Academy celebrates outstanding young engineers of the year".Royal Academy of Engineering. 7 July 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
* 2022: "Sir George McFarlane Award", Royal Academy of Engineering"Academy celebrates outstanding young engineers of the year". Royal Academy of Engineering. 7 July 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
* 2022: "Top 40 Future Leaders", Black Cultural Archives"BCA Chair's 40X40 Future Leaders Campaign & Awards". Black Cultural Archives. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
Category:1997 births
Category:People from Peckham
Category:Alumni of University College London
Category:Engineers
Category:Entrepreneurs