Iain Conn appointed next chair of EngineeringUK

EngineeringUK

IAIN CONN, a chemical engineer and IChemE Fellow, is set to become the new chair of EngineeringUK, a charity that works to inspire the next generation of engineers.

Conn, who will take over as chair in October, said: “Engineers have a huge impact on all our lives and are vital to all our futures. If the UK is to benefit from what engineering and technology have to offer, enabling economic prosperity and helping to solve tomorrow’s challenges including tackling climate change, we need a highly diverse workforce that boosts innovation, creativity and insight. I’m passionate about engineering, education and supporting young people into fulfilling careers and am therefore delighted to be joining EngineeringUK at a time when its mission to inspire more young people from all backgrounds into engineering and technology is more important than ever.”

EngineeringUK warned last year that without urgent fixes a shortfall in the number of engineers in the UK risked the country sleepwalking into a net zero skills crisis. Earlier this year, it launched a careers booklet designed to educate and excite young people about careers in 12 engineering disciplines including chemical engineering.

Conn studied chemical engineering at Imperial College London. His career includes 34 years of executive experience in the energy sector at BP and Centrica, alongside non-executive roles at Rolls-Royce and the telecoms firm BT. He was responsible for BP’s early role in Project Enthuse, which supports STEM teaching and learning across the UK.

Hilary Leevers, CEO of EngineeringUK, said: “I am delighted that Iain will be joining EngineeringUK as our new chair. He brings a breadth of experience from across the engineering and technology sector, but more importantly, his passions and values align with ours – centring on helping more young people into engineering and technology careers, inclusively, and with environmental sustainability as a key driver.”