A MAN from Troon has won the Scottish heat of Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers’ (IGEM) Young Persons Paper Competition. 

27-year-old, Matt Skeoch, came first in IGEM's Young Persons Paper event last week at SGN’s office in Edinburgh, with the competition aiming to encourage entries from young professionals and students that demonstrate their potential to make a valuable and meaningful contribution to the gas industry.

Matt, who joined SGN on its graduate trainee team manager programme in 2015, was one of three entrants representing his company in the Scottish section. 

The Troon local secured his place in the national final by delivering a presentation on his paper, a case study into the failure of a Mokveld Volumetric Flow Control Valve. 

The paper explores what further improvements can be developed to enhance maintenance strategies for gas distribution networks moving forward.

Matt will now travel to London to represent Scotland in the final later this year. 

He said: “This was the first time I had prepared and delivered a professional presentation so it was a huge personal achievement for me and something I’m very proud of. 

"The experience I gained from winning my regional heat has given me a real determination to go out and win the final and I’m very grateful that I’ll have the opportunity to do so while representing SGN.”