The British Computer Society Young Professionals Group (YPG) was formed in 1986 (although, its roots date back to around 1983) to provide representation and support to younger members of the IT profession. Today the group is one of the largest and arguably one of the most influential young professionals groups in the UK, with over 26,000 members. The group organises events and provides services from lectures and debates to networking evenings, various competitions, college bursaries and awards. Whilst support is provided from the British Computer Society, the group's leadership is run primarily by volunteers from the younger membership of the British Computer Society which form the YPG's Executive Committee and network of regional representatives. Young IT Practitioner of the Year The YPG judges, promotes and awards the Young IT Practitioner of the Year Award along with naming annual British Computer Society Medal Winners. This underlines one of the YPG's key roles to nurture and applaud individual ingenuity and entrepreneurial success that have made the British IT industry a leading global player. The awards mark the vital contribution made by young people to the IT profession. Former winners of the award 2010 — Meri Williams, Procter & Gamble 2009 — Jacques Erasmus, Prevx 2008 — Sarah Christie, Procter & Gamble 2007 — Travers Powell, Vocalink 2006 — Saqib Shaikh, Microsoft Corporation 2005 — Andrew McAnulla, BTL Group Ltd 2004 — Karen Elizabeth Petrie, NASA 2003 — James Bailey, Eclipse Internet Former medal winners 2010 Adam Thompson, IBM UK Ltd Dominic Green, Microsoft 2009 Luke Claughton, Micheldever Tyre Services Ltd Riyaz Patel, Yorkshire Water 2008 Victoria O'Reilly, Allianz Insurance plc Luke Robison, IBM UK Ltd 2007 Kate Scott, Premier Inn - Whitbread Group plc Chris Dale, IBM UK Ltd. 2006 Paul Cheek, TeamSpirit Software Ltd Mark Alexander, Graham Technology Plc Iain McGinniss, Graham Technology Plc 2005 Verity Wiscarson, IBM UK Ltd. Graham Marwick, IBM UK Ltd. Steven Henderson, Royal Bank of Scotland Group 2004 Nicolas Eggleton, The Pensions Trust Lee Englestone, AstraZeneca Keith Sutcliffe, Steptronik UK 2003 Richard Clayton, B Mason & Sons Steven Henderson, Royal Bank of Scotland Group David Hewitt, James Hamilton Group SkillCentre The YPG run an event series called 'YPG SkillCentre' these events tend to help attendees still in the earlier stages of their career explore and develop skill areas that are typically untaught and/or neglected in the IT industry, such as advice on body language and tips