Over 1,400 nuclear industry professionals turned out in all their finery to attend the NIA NI Annual Dinner and enjoy five-course dining, a plenitude of wine and to hear celebrity speaker Rory Bremner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Thursday 4th December.
A stunning venue decked out in Christmas decoration was the welcoming sight for guests as they arrived and were seated under the chandeliers of the Great Room at the Grosvenor for the evening.
Guests arrive in the Great Room
The 29-seat top table was this year filled with key industry figures representing their organisations and businesses, as well as Professor Charles Hendry MP, who was the guest speaker, and his wife Sallie, the after dinner speaker Rory Bremner and the NI's patron The Rt Hon the Lord Patrick Jenkin of Roding.
The assembly paused as NI President Tim Chittenden said grace from the top table before dining began.
After the five-course meal, speeches commenced with the prize-giving of NI Awards. NI President Tim Chittenden presented the awards to NI Young Professional 2014 Award Winner Mathew Mackay and NI Young Apprentice/Technician 2014 Award Winner Natalie Baines.
YGN Chair Leanne Hodgson delivers her speech on behalf of the Young Generation Network.
The NI YGN Chair Leanne Hodgson also presented a speech on the successes of the Young Generation Network this year.
Comedian Rory Bremner took to the podium to have the audience in fits of laughter with impressions of David Cameron, Barrack Obama, Nelson Mandela, Prince Charles and X-Factor's Louis Walsh (to name just a few of many impersonations).
Rory Bremner performs celebrity impressions during the after dinner speech.
The after party got started shortly after, as live band Locomotion helped to fill the dance floor and an open photo shoot was available. Guests finally departed for their beds at around 2am.
Young Generation Network guests dress to impress at the Annual Dinner.