Two BP women make history
A captain and a doctor working in shipping and technology enter the record books
Two BP women have made history by becoming the first in their fields to be recognised with professional awards.
BP’s Dr Angela Strank is the first woman to receive the prestigious Energy Institute’s Cadman Award in its 70-year history, while BP Shipping’s Captain Susie Thomson is the first woman - and the youngest person – to receive Chartered Master Mariner status.
Strank received the award, which since 1946 has been presented to an individual for their outstanding and significant service to the international oil industry after she delivered her Cadman lecture in London in July.
The award comes after Strank received a damehood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in June 2017, for services to the oil and gas industry, and encouraging women into science technology engineering and maths (STEM) careers.
Two decades in shipping
Describing the significance of her award, Thomson said: “It sets you up amongst your peers as equals and acts as recognition of excellence in the profession.”
Chartered Master Mariner is a relatively new chartership from the Honourable Company of Master Mariners and one for which Thomson hopes other woman will be encouraged to apply.
A graduate of the City of Glasgow Nautical Campus and Dartmouth Naval College, 37 year-old Thomson achieved her ship command award in 2008.
Thomson joined BP Shipping in 2011 as a vetting and clearance superintendent and was appointed into a marine project superintendent role before she took up her current position as risk learning and assurance advisor.
Her 20-plus year marine and seafaring career began with a cadetship in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Training on Royal Navy and Merchant Navy vessels, Thomson has sailed on commercial, military and humanitarian effort vessels of all shapes and sizes around the world.
