Siobhán Duffy, Chief Executive of Element Six, has been named as a member of the judging panel for the Engineering Excellence Awards 2026, bringing over 30 years of experience across production, quality control, business management, and innovation leadership within one of the world's most advanced synthetic diamond and supermaterials manufacturing organisations.

Duffy was appointed Chief Executive of Element Six in February 2023, having progressed through the organisation across three decades in roles spanning production and quality control through to executive-level leadership in sales, marketing, and innovation. 

As Executive Director for Innovation from 2014 and Executive Director for Sales and Marketing from 2018, she developed a command of the full value chain that connects advanced manufacturing research with commercial application and market delivery. 

That trajectory, from frontline production through to chief executive, gives her an understanding of engineering companies and manufacturing operations that is both practically grounded and strategically informed.

Her leadership of Element Six's innovation function in particular gives her panel contribution a dimension directly relevant to a programme that recognises engineering innovation and engineering technology alongside more traditional measures of project delivery and technical achievement. 

Moreover, her earlier oversight of the Oil and Gas business unit adds further cross-sector depth, reflecting a career that has engaged with the engineering industry across multiple demanding applications and markets.

In addition, her academic credentials reinforce a career defined by continuous development. Duffy holds an MBA alongside an Advanced Diploma in Analytical Science and an Advanced Diploma in Quality Management, qualifications that reflect a commitment to engineering leadership and management excellence that extends across scientific, commercial, and organisational domains.

The Engineering Excellence Awards 2026 spans 22 categories recognising outstanding achievement across manufacturing, sustainable engineering, engineering innovation, civil engineering, structural engineering, and renewable energy. 

Duffy joins a panel that includes Judging Coordinator Matt Cotterell of MTU, Professor Brian Caulfield of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Brian Deegan of the University of Galway, Dr Brooke Tornifoglio of Trinity College Dublin, Dr John Mulvihill of the University of Limerick, Maeve O'Reilly of Gas Networks Ireland, Daniel Clarke Hagan of ATU, Niall Hanley of JJ Rhatigan, James McNamara of TUS, Dr Morteza Tabatabaeipour of Ulster University, Tom Rowan of Rowan Engineering, and Barry Williams of Mott MacDonald Ireland.

The awards gala will take place on 21 October 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry.

Visit the official Engineering Excellence Awards website to explore the shortlist, review category details, and subscribe to the newsletter for updates.