The recognition celebrates his exceptional efforts to foster sustainability, promote a greener future and champion women in engineering at Queen’s.  

Sponsored by Allstate Northen Ireland, the annual award honours a Queen’s graduate who has made a significant contribution to the University or the Queen’s global community. 

Congratulating Chris, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer said:

“We are delighted to welcome Chris back to Queen’s to receive the Graduate of the Year Award. The work Chris does to support sustainability is having a significant impact on our environment and we are proud that a former graduate is passionate about being a Net Zero Champion. We also welcome his investment in the Queen’s community and wider society, and particularly his commitment to helping increase opportunities for women in engineering.” 

Originally from County Down, Chris graduated with a BSc in Economics in 1975 and four years later, set up his own business. The parent company AESSEAL is now a global leader in sustainability and advanced manufacturing, earning a significant recognition for its achievements, winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in April 2022. 

Committed to environmental progress, Chris has pledged £29 million toward environmental initiatives by 2029, including the recent planting of 109,000 trees in County Fermanagh. 

Speaking about the award Chris said: 

"It was an entirely unexpected and great honour to be selected as Queen’s University Belfast Graduate of the Year 2024. I was advised that the Award Panel made the decision not just on personal grounds, but for our sustainability efforts and commitment to society in general. My colleagues and I will endeavour to be worthy of the honour by continuing to do the right thing in the future."

Driven by his passion for sustainability, Chris was named Net Zero Champion at the Engineering and Manufacturing Awards in September 2023, highlighting the company’s ‘beyond Net Zero’ status. 

AESSEAL has also advanced opportunities for women in Engineering by providing philanthropic support to the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s University since 2018. 

Thomas McLaughlin, Senior Manager at Allstate Northern Ireland, added:  

“Allstate Northern Ireland is delighted to sponsor the Graduate of the Year 2024 at Queen's University and to highlight the immense achievements of graduate Chris Rea who continues to make an enormous impact on sustainability and the support of women in engineering. Chris is a great example of how a graduate can go on to inspire those who follow in his footsteps."

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