President's Ball 2025: Where energy meets elegance

Valentine's Day was the perfect occasion for an evening of glamour and sophistication, dedicated to honouring the hard work and unwavering commitment that fuel the gas industry.

The evening began with a drinks reception for guests to mingle and catch up with colleagues from across the sector before being seated for dinner.

Before dinner was served, IGEM President David Tomkin said a few words. He started by thanking his family and friends for supporting him in his presidential year so far.

David then shared a few anecdotes from his career in the industry and had the room roaring with laughter.

Continuing to a more serious note, he said: “The gas industry is one of the great unsung heroes of modern life. It powers homes, businesses, and industries.

“It ensures warmth on a cold winter’s night, a hot meal at the end of a long day, and, most importantly, it keeps the lights on for our friends in the electricity industry too.

“Yet, despite being at the heart of our energy system, our work is often unseen. But that’s what we do best: delivering safety, reliability, and innovation without a fuss. People don’t always appreciate the work that goes into making gas safe.

“But let me put it this way—when gas engineers do their job right, no one notices. When they don’t? Well, the headlines write themselves. So, to every engineer, technician, manager, and person keeping this industry running—you deserve every bit of praise.”

He then welcomed our incoming President, Nicola Evans, who will officially take on the role in May, and introduced IGEM CEO, Oliver Lancaster, to lead the Grace and make a toast.

The evening continued with a sumptuous three-course meal, followed by the first round of entertainment from the talented Singing Waiters duo.

With the crowd already on their feet, the Upstarts band then took to the stage, delivering hours of music and laughter that kept everyone captivated.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to DNV for sponsoring this event. Without their generous support, occasions like this simply wouldn’t be possible.