b'Partner News Winter 2020 13EnterpriseLintotts Chief Operating Officer awarded MBEJamie Thums MBE CEng FIET, Chief Operating Officer of IET Enterprise Partner Lintott, has been awarded an MBE in this years Queens Birthday Honours list. Awarded for services to manufacturing, this award is recognition for Jamies dedication and passion for engineering and manufacturing. We spoke with Jamie about this brilliant achievement.When did you first find out about the MBE?I found out in June this year. As it was an email, I thought someone was pulling my leg to be honest! I read the email several times before I realised it was real. I wasnt permitted to tell anyone, so it was a moment of euphoria that had to be boxed quickly.Jamie Thums MBE CEng FIET with IET Chief Executive and Secretary, Nigel Fine, and IET Past President Dr Peter Bonfield OBE FREng BSc MSc PhD CEng FIET.Why did you become an engineer?My father worked at the local powerHow important do you think it is thatThis in turn, gave way to gaining Chartership station and during family days we wouldengineering and manufacturing as aand Fellowship in the same year, and visit. Its scale and complexity fascinated me,whole is recognised like this? now Im starting on a PhD. My passion for which whetted my appetite for a career inIts great, albeit we need to keep shiningengineering has only ever grown!engineering and manufacturing. Throughoutthe spotlight. Personally, Im more excited my journey, I have been advised and guidedtoday than I was when I started my career.Could you explain more about NAAME?by some brilliant mentors who I am foreverThe UK, and in particular East Anglia, hasNAAME is the New Anglia Advanced grateful to. Today, its my passion and its ina great talent pool and its perfect forManufacturing and Engineering sector my blood. engineering and manufacturing with itsgroup and is charged with connecting, committed and loyal work force. championing and supporting the regions What do you think this willsector businesses. I became Chair in 2015 mean for Lintott? How has Enterprise Partnershipand since then, weve created a community Im able to focus on the things I do becausehelped with the development ofof over 200 active members, supported of Lintott, so recognition is good for theLintott and you personally? and launched various schemes, and have company. For too long, manufacturingI first became registered in 2000 as anheld numerous annual conferences. These has taken a back seat, but its becomingEngTech. After completing a degree, Ishowcase best practice as well as discuss increasingly more prominent. Successbecame an Incorporated Engineer. Thishot topics in the field. Theres a real draws on talent and innovation, which ishelped me forge my career and a fewappetite between business leaders to work more important now than ever. We mustyears after joining Lintott, I contactedtogether across multiple spaces and its build on the strengths and achievementsthe IET. Lintott became one of the firstcontinually growing in strength, fuelled by a and continue to champion the cause. Many15 Enterprise Partners, which enabled thevibrant sector community.people are flying the flag and deservecompany to encourage colleagues to take recognition. their Professional Development seriously.'