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Electricity engineer from Marden wins award for his Olympic achievements

A Marden engineer who was instrumental in powering the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has had his decade of service to the electricity industry recognised by his employer.

Brian Stratton said he was "taken aback" to receive the Peerless Performer Award for his exceptional contribution to the country’s electricity infrastructure, during UK Power Networks’ recent 10th anniversary celebrations.

Brian Stratton
Brian Stratton

Mr Stratton, 58, said: “The highlight of the last 10 years for me was the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"It brought out the best in people. It was our country, our capital city and the whole world was watching us.

"We could not be late in the delivery of any projects and needed to keep the lights on throughout the Games.

“For those of us lucky enough to be closely involved with the planning, delivery and operations behind this incredible event, it was a thrilling time and will be one of the most memorable experiences of our working lives.”

The London 2012 Games was the first to be powered from the local electricity network, rather than from a fleet of temporary generators.

Brian Stratton at the London Olympic Park in 2012
Brian Stratton at the London Olympic Park in 2012

Mr Stratton later travelled to Brazil ahead of 2016 Games in Rio to show them how it was done.

Mr Stratton joined the industry as a graduate trainee engineer a month before the 1987 hurricane, progressing to become a senior engineer working in network planning, construction and renewals. Today he is responsible for the company’s properties, security and replacement of equipment such as electricity poles, substations and switchgear, to improve the quality of supply and reduce power cuts.

He said: “We provide a critical service to the community which keeps industry, commerce and people’s homes going, as well as hospitals and schools. Electricity is so crucial in our lives and becoming more so. It’s a far more reliable network now, and safer.”

His expertise was also in demand in 2017 after Hurricane Irma struck the island of Anguilla in the West Indies. He flew out to help the island recover its electricity supplies.

He said: “The devastation was unbelievable and we could tell from speaking to the locals that they were absolutely terrified and still in a state of shock."

Mr Stratton has been married to his wife Jean for 34 years. They have one son who is an RAF pilot.

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