Nnaemeka, Brukty and Piyush were among the guests of honour at the recent celebration at the London headquarters of the Royal Geographic Society (RGS) marking the 35th anniversary of the Rolex Awards. Along with 2002 Laureate Michel André, 2006 Associate Laureate Runa Khan Marre, and 2006 Laureate Rory Wilson, the three Young Laureates represented the innovative spirit of the programme for nearly 100 distinguished guests.

Michael Palin, president of the RGS and co-host of the event, drew parallels between the Rolex Awards and his organization. “They are both about extending our horizons — encouraging inspiration and innovation and new, original ways of thinking about the world.”

Rebecca Irvin, head of philanthropy at Rolex, further reinforced this point. “This is a moment of celebration both of the past and the future, emphasizing the enduring relationship between Rolex and the RGS that stretched back to the 1930s and included the ascent of the Everest summit by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. This event is also a celebration of the spirit of enterprise of the 115 remarkable men and women whom the Rolex Awards has supported over the past 35 years.”

Click here to read more about the event on the Rolex Awards website.