b'26 Partner News Autumn 2021CorporateVirgin Media, provider of UKs fastest widely available broadband, delivers five new Chartered Engineers with CBRS (Company Based Registration Support)By Eoin Sharkey CEng MIET, Senior Technology Consultant, Network Strategy & Engineering, Virgin MediaColleagues working in the Engineering andThrough late 2020 and early part of 2021,The CEng candidate list (to June 2021):technology divisions of Virgin Media , andfive candidates were awarded CharteredIan Hindle CEngallied teams in parent Liberty Global, gotEngineer registration. (A sixth candidate isVoice Planning & Engineeringtogether in early 2020 to start a Company- in process at the time of going to press, and based registration scheme.we hope will join us shortly).Neil Geary CEngLittle could the cohort have known that aThis is a significant career milestone forNS&E (Network Strategy & Engineering)global pandemic was about to take hold, norall concerned. It is a clear demonstrationLeadership Teamthat the scheme would run though the mostof their commitment to maintaining andNatalia Awodeji CEngstringent lockdown UK has experienced inimproving their professional standards andNext-Generation Platform Engineering [LG]living memory.practise.Paul Durrant CEngAs engineers, problem-solving and a can-doBuilding on their success so far, the cohortEntertainment, Engineering & Deliverymentality are part of the DNA. The groupnow wants to: Erchin Alimseit CEngquickly adapted and were able to workCPE (Customer Premise Equipment)through the requirements of registrationContinue to encourage and supportHardware Testing [LG]using video-meeting and other remoteother colleagues on registration journeyscollaboration tools. Celebrate their success by holding Ably supported by Alan Hayman CEng,a graduation ceremonyhopefully MIET, the Professional Registration Advisorat Savoy Place, in October 2021 the cohort were able to work through(Government restrictions allowing) the evidence collection and presentationOverall the process to requirements of the professional registrationJoin with other colleagues alreadybecoming chartered application form. To honour the dedicationprofessionally registered in a Registered and effort of Alan and other behind theEngineering Councila special interestwasnt daunting, because scenes IET (Institution of Engineeringgroup that can promote professionalismwe did it together as a group, and Technology) volunteers, the cohortacross the rich set of engineering andsupporting and encouraging contributed to the IET Benevolent Fundtechnology disciplines needed in a (Foothold).communications provider like VMO2each other.(Virgin Media O2). As forms got completed and processed the cohort was then able to self-support and help prepare each candidate for theNeil Geary CEng, NS&E final stagethe professional registration(Network Strategy & Engineering) interview. Leadership TeamOn 1 June 2021, Virgin Media formed a Joint Venture with O2; Virgin Media O2 combines the UKs largest and most reliable mobile network with a broadband network offering the fastest widely-available broadband speeds.'