MBE awarded to engineer George Imafidon
Alongside his engineering role at X44 Vida Carbon Racing, George also holds the title of the Young Engineer of the Year 2022/23, awarded by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Moreover, George’s commitment to giving a platform to underrepresented voices was further evidenced by his appointment in September 2020 to the Board of Commissioners for Sir Lewis Hamilton’s ‘Hamilton Commission’ to address the underrepresentation of black people in UK motorsport.
Findings from the Hamilton Commission have helped launch Extreme E’s Racing for All initiative, which is creating opportunities for a new generation of mechanical and engineering talent to join the world’s most radical off-road electric racing series.
The programme aims to reduce barriers and attract those who might not otherwise be able to have this opportunity, and encourage particularly those who are female, minority ethnic, or from a lower socio-economic background to apply. Informed by the Hamilton Commission, Racing for All is an action-based programme that will have a tangible effect on addressing some of those barriers.
On receiving an MBE, George said: “I am honoured and grateful to be awarded the MBE for services to young people and STEM sectors. It has been a privilege to be able to use my voice over the last decade for so many of us that feel unseen and humanise STEM for communities traditionally far removed from the industry.
“I hope this recognition can open more doors for those that are underserved and have lost hope on the journey.”
George’s fascination with how things work stemmed from his early years spent fixing bikes for his friends and community in Peckham in London, a pastime that would eventually lead him to graduate from University College London (UCL) with a First Class Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering with Programming.
Imafidon is also CEO and co-founder of Motivez, an award-winning youth-led organisation founded in 2015, which empowers undeserved young people aged 14 - 25 to access entry-level STEM jobs and become changemakers.
They have inspired millions worldwide through their campaigns and directly supported over 9,000 young people in the UK over the past eight years through their grassroots, employability, and advocacy programmes where they develop local STEM changemakers transforming their communities.
In an exclusive interview with Extreme E in 2021, George described himself as a humanitarian engineer, who hopes to combine his love for people and technology to leave the world in a better place. You can read the full interview with George here.
Next up for George and X44 Vida Carbon Racing is the Island X Prix in Sardinia, Italy, on 8-9 July, co-organised and coordinated by the Automobile Club d'Italia and Regione Sardegna, where fourth-placed Sir Lewis Hamilton’s team, fresh off the back of a race win in Scotland, will be battling to climb up the championship table.
The racing action can be viewed on ITV in the UK across the weekend. Outside of the UK, please visit here for broadcaster details.
