The second award presented at the ceremony on Wednesday 4th March 2026 was Undergraduate of the Year, an accolade given in memory of Mark O’Brien. This award is open to any Xtrac employee currently sponsored by the company for a bachelor’s degree or higher-level qualification.

The 2025 Undergraduate of the Year is Leandro Gouveia, recognised for his exceptional dedication, resilience, and passion for engineering and motorsport. After completing a strong apprenticeship with Jaguar Land Rover, Leandro joined Xtrac in 2023 and quickly progressed to the role of Motorsport Gearbox Technician. Alongside his full‑time position, he has consistently achieved First‑Class Distinctions while self‑funding his Motorsport Engineering degree. His commitment to the industry extends beyond his work at Xtrac, taking on freelance race technician roles, volunteering, and even building his own race car. Despite facing personal challenges, Leandro has continued to excel, proactively developing new skills and supporting colleagues, qualities making him a thoroughly deserving recipient of this award.

The runner‑up, Ed Marsh, has also made an outstanding contribution during his placement year. Ed approached every task with diligence and thoroughness, becoming an integral member of the P1385 project team both technically and personally, far exceeding the expectations typically placed on a student. In the final weeks of his placement, he proactively sought additional experience with the PMO to broaden his understanding of Xtrac’s operations, a move that will undoubtedly benefit him upon his anticipated return to the company after completing his degree studies.

Congratulations to Leandro and Ed on their well‑deserved recognition.