Harrogate Grammar School (HGS) alumnus Leo Teeney has been named in Forbes’ inaugural 30 under 30 Europe list for
He was named amongst “young innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders across Europe who are under 30 years of age and who are transforming business, technology, finance, media, culture and more”.
Randall Lane, Editor of Forbes, said Researching, vetting and launching our first ever 30 Under 30 Europe list was an incredible task.
Randall said:
We scoured the continent to find the most talented millennials and, with the help of our expert judges, are proud to honour 300 of the most important young entrepreneurs, creative leaders and brightest stars in Europe right now.
Leo, who studied at HGS from 2001-2008, was scouted for the list whilst working for the European Space Agency (ESA) in Cologne, Germany. There, at the European Astronaut Centre, he worked on projects looking into supporting technologies for potential future missions to the Moon. While at ESA he was also part of a group that placed 3rd in the NASA 3D Printed Habitat Challenge, from more than 160 entries. The challenge called for innovative concepts for a Martian habitat, taking advantage of robotic 3-D printing technologies and materials from the Martian surface.
Leo said:
I’m very proud of my inclusion in Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list alongside so many incredible people.
I’m happy to see that the aerospace industry is represented by several nominees and shows that this is becoming an increasingly important and exciting sector and one that HGS students can aspire to contribute to.
Leo, who studied Maths, Physics, Psychology and Product Design in the Sixth Form and who won the ‘Most Promising Engineer Award’ at their Celebration of Achievement awards ceremony.
Leo said:
I was always well supported in my aspirations and challenged to do my best.
I have taken this attitude with me and am glad to represent the HGS community, which set me on this path.
Following his time at HGS, Leo received an MEng in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Manchester in 2013 and an MSc in Space Studies from the International Space University, France, in 2014.
During his studies he worked in the Airbus UK Future Projects Office, for Atkins Aerospace, and for the Team Hakuto Google Lunar XPrize rover at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan. Leo has worked on numerous space mission concept studies including the University of Stuttgart Institut für Raumfahrtsysteme Space Station Design Workshop, in 2015, and is a past winner of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Undergraduate Individual Design Competition for his project “Low-cost Access to Space Booster Aircraft.
Richard Sheriff, Headteacher of Harrogate Grammar School said:
As a school we try to encourage every child to aim high and strive to achieve their full potential, Leo is a shining example of this ethos.
To be recognised in this way is a tribute to his hard work, resilience and drive that I am sure will see him achieve great things in the years to come.
