The STEM programme is administered and supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and more than 340 ambassadors in the Highlands and Islands from 101 businesses.

At this week's award ceremony held at the House of Lords in London, it was announced that LifeScan had beaten the five other UK nominees including global companies such as British Petroleum, Atkins and AstraZeneca, to STEMNET's title of Most Dedicated Employer.

Part of multi-national company Johnson and Johnson, LifeScan Scotland Ltd in Inverness facility develops and manufactures some 4m chemical strips used in OneTouch range of blood monitoring meters. (Left: LifeScan VP Tito Bacarese-Hamilton)>

It has made a huge commitment to the STEM Ambassadors programme with 55 employees, ranging from apprentices right up to the executive director of QA promoting the value of science and engineering to young people.

The company actively encourages its staff to participate and work with local schools, ensuring that they are properly prepared by first undertaking the STEM ambassadors training. LifeScan's ambassadors are given paid time off to attend the induction and undertake activities with schools. These have ranged from designing and building a wind turbine to creating a new diabetes meter.

Lorraine Dick, community relations specialist with LifeScan, said: "This is a stellar award for LifeScan. It represents many of the company's core values - encouraging engagement and ambition among the next generation; stimulating interest in scientific exploration and supporting employees' enthusiasm for community involvement. HIE has been a first-class partner in helping us to achieve our role in the STEM programme which is a highly valued aspect of our activities."

HIE's head of Innovation and Skills Donna Chisholm said that the agency was delighted that the national award had gone to a company in the Highlands and Islands. "Our young people are the science and technology workforce of the future. It's fantastic to have such a progressive and committed private sector partner as LifeScan working with us and I am delighted that their dedication and the value this brings to the region and the UK, has been recognised in this way."

In addition to LifeScan's success, Martyn Crawshaw, teacher at Millburn Academy in Inverness, was a finalist in the Most Dedicated Teacher award category.

The three other award winners (not a photograph in sight or available on request ) were:  Most Dedicated STEM Ambassador Award: Sam Whitmarsh, AstraZeneca, Bristol and Bath. Most Dedicated Teacher Award: Rebekah Hodson, Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College. Most Dedicated STEM Club Award: Bungay High School (Suffolk).