On 1 May 2026, Institute of Corrosion President Dr Yunnan Gao visited The University of Manchester to review the continuing success of the ICorr Scholarship Programme and to meet students and staff involved in corrosion education and research.

The visit included meetings with Dr Beatriz Mingo and Professor Dirk Engelberg from the Department of Materials, during which the annual review of the ICorr-funded scholarship programme was presented. Since 2023, ICorr has committed £25,000 per year over a five-year period to support MSc and MEng students specialising in corrosion-related disciplines. The review highlighted the growing success of the initiative, with strong student engagement and increased application numbers across both programmes.

Dr Gao also met with Professor Scott Heath, Vice-Dean for Students, Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and held discussions with ICorr Scholarship recipients Ayrton Spiller and Jana Al Shami. During a tour of the University campus, Dr Gao was also accompanied by ICorr Scholarship recipient Charles Foxall.

The University expressed its appreciation for ICorr’s continued support in helping to develop the next generation of corrosion professionals. In February 2026, scholarship recipients Ayrton Spiller and Jana Al Shami were formally recognised during the Faculty of Science and Engineering Scholarship Awards Ceremony, reflecting the growing visibility and impact of the partnership between ICorr and the University.

The visit concluded with recognition of ICorr’s contribution on The University of Manchester President’s Circles of Philanthropy, The Beyer Circle Board, where the Institute is proudly acknowledged for its support of student development and engineering education.

ICorr Scholarship Certificate Presented by Professor Scott Heath to Ayrton Spiller during the Faculty of Science and Engineering Scholarship Awards Ceremony in February 2026.

ICorr Scholarship Certificate Presented by Professor Scott Heath to Jana Al Shami during the Faculty of Science and Engineering Scholarship Awards Ceremony in February 2026.

ICorr President Dr Yunnan Gao Meeting with ICorr Scholarship Recipients Ayrton Spiller and Jana Al Shami in Manchester on 1 May 2026.

ICorr President Dr Yunnan Gao Touring The University of Manchester Campus Accompanied by ICorr Scholarship Recipient Charles Foxall on 1 May 2026.

The University of Manchester President’s Circles of Philanthropy, The Beyer Circle Board, Including the Name of the Institute of Corrosion.

It is with sadness and pride that I announce my resignation as CORREX managing director, a role I have held for the last 5 years plus. This is due to the role changing and evolving and taking much more time than it originally did. What with that and being the senior trainer for CORREX, added to that of my normal role as Paintel Technical Director, it has all become too much.

There is good news, however. A new managing director has been chosen and is already in the post, and many of you will know him. He is Mr. Paul Brooks, a fellow member of ICorr and current chair of the London Branch.

Paul comes with huge experience and is a specialist in cathodic protection. Paul and I have been working together these last few weeks to assist in the transition, and he is already proving to be a successful MD. I will continue to support Paul as needed in the new role.

Plus, you don’t get rid of me that easily. I will remain the senior trainer for CORREX, so you still have access to me and my knowledge of all things paint and other related topics, even developing new courses as you read this.

Paul and I have already developed a strong working bond, and I look forward to working with him and all of you going into the future.

I would also like to add that we finally have a fully working new card system database directly linked to CSCS. This will keep us compliant for years to come, so our affiliation with CSCS is stronger than ever. 

ICorr is pleased to announce that OneGarnet has joined the Institute as a new Sustaining Member.

With more than 17 years of specialised experience in garnet mining and processing, the OneGarnet Group has established itself as a global leader in the industry, particularly in garnet resource reserves, processing plant capacity, and automation levels. Its mineral processing technology has received national-level awards and has also been selected for China’s 2025 National Science & Technology Major Project – a top-tier national initiative focused on the mineral processing of complex resources. This achievement highlights the recognised technological expertise and innovation within the company.

Supported by high-grade raw ore resources, internationally advanced beneficiation processes, fully automated intelligent production lines, and a rigorous full-cycle quality control system, the OneGarnet product range is widely regarded as industry-leading.

The company has also been very active recently, including the establishment of OneGarnet’s subsidiary in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, alongside progressing supplier certification approvals with major oil companies, including Saudi Aramco, ADNOC,
and QatarEnergy.

OneGarnet is committed to providing high-grade garnet abrasives and delivering safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible surface preparation solutions for corrosion protection projects worldwide.

The company also intends to actively support and promote ICorr activities while contributing to the Institute’s continued development and growth. On Tuesday 28th April 2026, Mr Nan Yang and Ms Lily You of OneGarnet will present to the ICorr Aberdeen Branch, including a practical demonstration of their blasting products.

Sarah Bagnall, Fellow of Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and Chair of ICorr Wales and South-West branch, has been appointed Chair of the British Stainless Steel Association (BSSA).

Sarah, CEng, FIMMM, MICorr, is a Chartered Engineer specialising in materials failure analysis, particularly within the petrochemical, oil and gas, and power industries. She has extensive experience investigating component failures and advising on materials performance across a range of demanding industrial environments.

Prior to her appointment as Chair, she served as Vice-Chair of the BSSA and has been a member of the Association’s Board since November 2024. In her new role, she will work to support innovation within the sector and help address key challenges facing the UK stainless steel industry.

Bagnall has been a member of IOM3 since 2011. She is currently Director of Consultancy Services at R-TECH Materials, where she provides technical leadership in materials engineering and failure investigation. Her expertise spans the power generation, petrochemical and construction sectors, where she supports organisations in understanding materials performance, reliability and integrity. She is also the current Vice-Chair of ICorr’s Engineering Training Board (ETGB). Her appointment reflects her significant contribution to the materials and stainless steel community, and her continued leadership within the field.