The milestone moment for NEBOSH’s Michael Adamson scholars

Image Left to Right: Drew McLaren, Daniel Akpesiri Vote, Andy Shenstone (NEBOSH CEO), Louise Adamson, Adaora Ogbu and India Lambley

Six NEBOSH scholars graduate as first Michael Adamson recipients

First Michael Adamson scholars mark milestone graduation

Six health and safety professionals have become the first Michael Adamson Scholarship recipients to graduate with a NEBOSH Diploma.

The graduates – Daniel Vote, India Lambley, Drew McLaren, Courtney Bayne, Adaora Ogbu and Munachimso Nduchegwo – each achieved a NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management professionals.

Their graduation took place at the University of Warwick on 22 September, alongside hundreds of fellow Diplomates from across the world.

The scholarship was established in 2021 to support the professional development of aspiring health and safety practitioners.

To date, 74 people have received funding through the Michael Adamson Scholarship.

The programme was created in memory of Michael Adamson, who died in a preventable workplace accident in 2005.

His sister, Louise Adamson, sits on the selection committee, holds a NEBOSH Honorary Diploma and continues to campaign for improved workplace safety.

Scholarship opens doors to international careers

Courtney Bayne, one of the first recipients in 2021, now works as Health and Safety Team Leader at Dundee City Council.

She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed studying for my NEBOSH Diploma, as it explored a wide range of health and safety topics.

“The wide-ranging content was not only interesting but also directly applicable to my role, allowing me to confidently integrate new knowledge into my everyday work practices.

“This made the learning experience both rewarding, valuable and has allowed me to progress in my health and safety career.”

Munachimso Solomon Nduchegwo, awarded a scholarship in 2023, has since moved from Nigeria to the UK.

He recently completed a Master’s degree in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh under the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.

He said: “Studying for the NEBOSH Diploma has been an exceptionally rigorous and enlightening experience.

“It allowed me to critically analyse complex health and safety systems, evaluate risk management strategies, and develop evidence-based solutions that enhance organisational safety culture.

“The depth and structure of the Diploma have not only strengthened my technical competence but also sharpened my strategic thinking, preparing me to make a meaningful contribution in any professional health and safety role.”

Image Left to Right: Andy Shenstone (NEBOSH CEO), Courtney Bayne, Munachimso Solomon Nduchegwo and Louise Adamson

Graduates highlight personal and professional growth

India Lambley, a 2023 recipient and now Health and Safety Officer for Enicor in the recycling industry, said: “Studying for the NEBOSH Level 6 Health and Safety Diploma has pushed me to think more strategically and has sharpened my problem-solving skills.

“The course deepened my understanding of risk management and legal responsibilities.

“In my new role as health and safety lead, I am now more confident when implementing safety initiatives.”

Drew McLaren, awarded a scholarship in 2022 and now Health and Safety Manager for Eden Springs, said: “The NEBOSH Diploma has certainly been a challenge – it requires a lot of disciplined studying and late nights.

“Balancing the course alongside my role and family life hasn’t left much free time, but the knowledge I’ve gained has been invaluable.

“It has not only helped me grow as a safety professional but has also allowed me to support my workplace in making positive steps towards improving our safety management and culture.

“I’ll continue to use what I’ve learned throughout the rest of my career and to influence and support my colleagues along the way.

“I truly can’t thank NEBOSH and the Michael Adamson Scholarship enough for the opportunity they’ve given me.”

Scholars bring new expertise to leadership roles

Adaora Ogbu, a 2023 scholarship recipient, is now Assistant Director of Factories in the Occupational Safety and Health Department at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Headquarters.

She said: “Completing the NEBOSH Diploma was both a challenging and rewarding journey.

“The programme has given me the technical depth and confidence to take on complex health and safety challenges, including my recent role as the National Coordinator and Principal Auditor for the 2025 Nigeria’s Safe Workplace Intervention Project & Awards, where I applied my new knowledge to design the criteria and tools used to select the awardees.

“It has also been pivotal in advancing my career as a freelance ISO 45001 Lead Auditor, strengthening my credibility and opening doors to opportunities where I can contribute to building safer and more sustainable workplaces, both locally and internationally.”

Daniel Akpesiri Vote, a 2024 recipient and now Senior HSE Consultant for Seplat Energy, said: “Winning the Michael Adamson Scholarship and completing the NEBOSH International Diploma deepened my risk perception and gave me practical tools from risk assessment, job hazard analysis, incident investigation and safety leadership.

“I’ve used these skills to strengthen our permit to work process, improve contractor engagement and secure senior-management approval for critical controls; delivering measurable reductions in incidents and greater site resilience.

“Equipped with NEBOSH Diploma insights, I’m now driving practical controls and stronger leadership conversations to prevent workplace harm.”