The Seren Award for Unsung Heroes
At The Hazels, we believe skills should be celebrated from the beginning of careers right through to seasoned pros. We are delighted to have had apprentices and professionals in this category who are all worth praising. The judges scores were extremely tight, and we thought it’s only fair to have an Apprentice Unsung Hero of the Year, and a Professional Unsung Hero of the Year:
Celebrating apprentices whose potential and application of learning are worth shouting about; and experienced professionals working in the space industry whose performance or outstanding achievements deserve to be recognised.
Tom Percival
2026 Apprentice Winner
Tom Percival is an exceptional final-year Manufacturing Engineering Degree Apprentice at Airbus Defence and Space. His work exemplifies the very best of applied learning and future potential within the space sector. During his apprenticeship, Tom has consistently demonstrated the ability to translate academic knowledge into tangible industrial impact. His standout achievement ‘Project APE (Automated Potting Equipment)’ addresses a critical manufacturing challenge facing the European space industry: the transition from bespoke geostationary satellites to high-volume Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations.
Through innovative use of robotics, automation, and systems design, Tom has delivered a proof-of-concept that reduces a key manufacturing process from 12 minutes to under 30
seconds. Alongside this, his contributions to advanced R&D, including co-inventing patented 3D-printed spacecraft mirror technology, and his current work supporting the Rosalind
Franklin Mars Rover landing platform, demonstrate both technical depth and breadth. Tom is a highly capable, forward-thinking engineer with the potential to become a future leader in spacecraft design and manufacturing.
Flt Lt Owen Gosling
2026 Professional Winner
Flight Lieutenant Gosling is a Logistics Officer specialising in the delivery and integration of space capabilities at UK Space Command. He joined the Royal Air Force in 2021 and completed Initial Officer Training before qualifying as a Logistics Officer. He served at RAF Marham, leading deployment coordination in support of Lightning Force operations, enhancing rapid deployment capabilities. He also qualified as a Contract Specialist, gaining experience in commercial operations and capability acquisition. In 2022, he was appointed Station Contract Support Officer and Officer Commanding Contract Support Flight at RAF Benson, where he managed a major facilities management contract and led a mixed military and civilian team. He also supported cadet activities as the Station Air Cadet Liaison Officer.
Since 2024, Flight Lieutenant Gosling has worked within UK Space Command as a Space Domain Awareness Project Manager. In this role, he has led the integration and delivery of Space Surveillance and Tracking capabilities supporting the National Space Operations Centre. His responsibilities have included introducing new sensor capabilities, overseeing testing and acceptance, coordinating with industry partners, commanding deployed teams overseas, and managing complex stakeholder relationships.
He has contributed to operational space activities supporting UK and allied missions. He has also deployed as the UK Space Subject Matter Expert on NATO Exercise STEADFAST DETERRENCE, aiding the integration of space effects in multinational operations. Additionally, he supports the development of future space capabilities and the evolution of Space Mobility and Logistics. Outside his military duties, Flight Lieutenant Gosling volunteers as a Service Instructor with the RAF Air Cadets, helping deliver the National Space Syllabus.