Our alumni go on to do some amazing things after Cranfield and many of our alumni are exceptionally successful. We have a vast range of distinguished alumni making a significant impact within technology, engineering and management. Some of our alumni are listed below, and you can also read about our alumni award winners for Aerospace and Aviation, Manufacturing and Materials, and the School of Management.
Aerospace
- Ronald Ayers MBE (MSc Aerodynamics 1956), 1932-2024, Chief Aerodynamicist, Bloodhound SSC
Awarded MBE in 2014 for services to engineering
- Katherine Bennell-Pegg (MSc Astronautics and Space Engineering 2009), Astronaut, Australian Space Agency
- Alan C Brown (Diploma in Aircraft Engineering 1951), 1929-2022, Former Director of Engineering, Lockheed
Honorary graduate, Recipient of the 2020 JC Hunsaker Award
- Pekka Erkama (MSc Human Factors and Safety Assessment in Aeronautics 2013), President, Finnish Airline Pilot’s Association, Founder and CEO, Huperman, Captain, Finnair, and Founding Partner, Chairman of the Board, Qreform
- Chris Gear (MSc Aircraft Design 1984), Project Director, FlyZero, Non-Executive Director and Founder, C P Gear Eng Ltd
- Jack Hathaway (MSc Flight Dynamics 2014), NASA Astronaut
- Ralph Hooper OBE FREng FRAeS (MSc Design 1948), 1926-2022, Former Chief Designer P.1127 / Kestrel Aircraft, Former Chief Engineer Hawker Siddeley (Military Division)
Awarded OBE in 1978 (Military Division)
- Libby Jackson OBE FRAes (MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering 2003), Head of Space Exploration, UK Space Agency
Awarded OBE in 2023 for services to the space sector
- Frank Noppel (MSc School of Engineering 2008, PhD School of Engineering 2011), CEO and Founder, Blueflite
- David Paisley (PhD Aerodynamics 1982), Technology Assessment, Boeing
- Dr Sarah Qureshi (MSc by Research in the School of Engineering 2008, PhD Aerospace 2016), CEO and Co-founder, Aero Engine Craft Limited
Defence and Security
- Lieutenant General Obed Akwa (MSc Global Security 2003), Retired Chief of Defence Staff, Ghana
- General Sir Richard Barrons KCB, MBE, OBE, CBE, ADC Gen (Master of Defence Administration 1990), Retired British Army Officer
Honorary graduate
Awarded MBE in 1993 in recognition of service during operations in the former Republic of Yugoslavia
Awarded OBE in 2000 (Military Division)
Awarded CBE in 2003 in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 April 2002 to 30 September 2002
Knighted in 2013
- Ivan Dvořák (MSc Global Security 2000), Policy Adviser to the Chief of General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, former Senior Defence Adviser at Czech Mission to the UN
- Major General Isidore Edet (MSc Security Sector Management 2013), Former General Commanding Officer, Nigerian Army (GOC 81 Division)
- Air Marshal Dame Susan Gray DBE CBE FREng (MSc in Aerospace Vehicle Design 1994), Retired Senior Royal Air Force Officer
Appointed Dame in 2022
- Major General (Retired) Bill Robins CB OBE (MSc Managing Defence and Security 2009), iconic defence figure, Visiting Professor, Cranfield University
Awarded Order of the Bath CB in 1997
Awarded OBE in 1984 (Military Division)
- Retired Brigadier Michael Stone (MSc Design of Information Systems 1997), Global Head of Technology Transformation for Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare, KPMG International, and Senior Associate Fellow RUSI
- Sir Julian Young KBE, CB, BSC, MA, MSC, MDA, CENG, FRENG, FIET, FRAES, CCMI, HONFAPM, RAF (MSc Defence Leadership 2012), Retired Air Marshal and Chief of Material (Air) at Defence, Equipment and Support (DE&S), UK Ministry of Defence
Knighted in 2020
Energy and Power
- Clive Buckberry MBE (PhD School of Mechanical Engineering 1992), Chief Engineer and Technology Officer, Quanta Dialysis Technologies
Awarded MBE in 2019 for services to medical engineering
- Winnie Byanyima (MSc Energy Conservation and the Environment 1988), Executive Director, UNAIDS, former Executive Director, Oxfam International and former Director of Gender and Development, United Nations Development Programme
- Nigel Curson (MSc Offshore Engineering 1984), Executive Vice President Technical Excellence, Penspen
- Kevin Fong OBE (MSc by Research in the School of Engineering 2008), Consultant Anaesthetist, University College London Hospitals, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Doctor, and Innovation and Engagement Fellowship, Wellcome Trust
Awarded OBE in 2019 for services to medicine and healthcare
- Neil Saunders (MSc Underwater Technology and Subsea Engineering 1998), Executive Vice President and CEO Oilfield Equipment, Baker Hughes a GE Company
- Charan Sekhon MBE (MSc Energy Conservation and the Environment 1997), Senior Environment Officer & EDI Project Coordinator (East Anglia), Environment Agency, Founder and Chairman, Social Education Voluntary Association (SEVA) Trust UK
Awarded MBE in 2021 for services to charity, diversity and the environment, particularly during Covid-19
Environment and Agrifood
- Barbara Bray MBE (MSc Post Harvest Technology 1996), Food Safety and Nutrition Consultant, Alo Solutions
Awarded MBE in 2019 for services to food nutrition
- Dr Opha Pauline Dube (PhD Remote Applied Sensing 1989), Environmental Scientist, University of Botswana, Panel Member, UN Global Sustainable Development Report
- Dr Siobhan Gardiner (PhD Environment and Agrifood 2017), International Director, Climate & Nature, ALDI South Group, One Young World ambassador, and Winner of the Commonwealth Award in the 2019 Women of the Future Awards
- Gabriel Marty (MSc Environmental Management for Business 2009), Associate Clean Energy and Infrastructure, JLL, former Policy Analyst and Advisor for the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy
- Robert Merrall (EngD School of Applied Sciences 1998), Past President of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) (2016-2018) and Managing Director, Merralls Consulting – Agri-Tech Innovation Consultant
- Peter Stedman (MSc Natural Resource Management 2000), Sustainability Director, Chiquita, former Head of Responsible Sourcing – Food, Tesco
- Sophie Walker (MSc Environmental Management for Business 2007), Head of Sustainability Private Capital (US & Europe), EQT Group
Management
- Elena Ambrosiadou (MBA 1988), CEO, IKOS Asset Management
Advisory Board member, Cranfield School of Management -
Chris Ashton (MBA 1996), CEO, Worley
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Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL FCA (Business Growth and Development Programme 1998), Co-founder and Chairman, Cobra Beer, Chancellor of the University of Birmingham
Life Peer, House of Lords
Honorary graduate
Awarded CBE in 2004 for services to business -
Debra Charles (Business Growth and Development Programme 2007), Founder and CEO, Novacroft, Co-founder, The Kindness Movement, and Trustee, Northamptonshire Community Foundation
Honorary graduate
Advisory Board member, Cranfield School of Management -
Sir Warren East CBE FRS FREng FIET FBCS (Executive MBA 1990), Former CEO, Rolls-Royce, Chair, NATS Holding
Honorary graduate
Advisory Board member, Cranfield School of Management
Knighted in 2025 for services to the technology industry -
Andy Harrison (MBA 1983), Chairman, SEGRO, Former Chairman, Dunelm Group, Former CEO, Whitbread
Honorary graduate -
Neil Heslop OBE (MBA 1992), CEO, Charities Aid Foundation, Non-Executive Director, Charity Bank
Awarded OBE in 2002 for services to British Telecommunications and charity -
Chris Hopson (MBA 1992), Chief Strategy Officer, NHS England
Honorary Graduate -
Dr Omobola Johnson (DBA 2013), Senior Partner, TLcom Capital LLP, Honorary Chairperson, Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) and former Minister of Communication Technology, Nigeria from 2011 to 2015, Member, World Wide Web Foundation Board of Directors, and Non-Executive Director, MTN
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Sir Charlie Mayfield (MBA 1992), Chairman, QA Ltd, Trustee, British Museum, former Chairman, John Lewis, former Chairman, UK Commission for Employment and Skills
Honorary graduate
Awarded a Knighthood in 2013 for services to business -
Dr Alice Maynard CBE (DBA 2007), Director, Future Inclusion, Chair, University of York, Non-Executive Director, Financial Conduct Authority
Awarded CBE in 2015 for services to people with disabilities and their families -
John McFarlane OBE (MBA 1975), Former Group Chairman, Barclays, Former Chairman, Westpac
Honorary graduate
Awarded OBE in 1995 for services to the finance industry -
Angus Thirlwell (Business Growth and Development Programme 2000), CEO and Co-Founder, Hotel Chocolat
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Sarah Willingham (MBA 2003), Serial entrepreneur and former Dragon on Dragons’ Den, BBC TV
Honorary graduate -
Dr Andy Wood OBE DL (DBA 2007), Chief Executive, Adnams Plc, Non-Executive Chairman, SG Wealth Management Ltd, Non-Executive Director, Roys Ltd, Board member, Visit England
Honorary graduate
Awarded OBE in 2013 for services to business and the community in East Anglia
Manufacturing
- Yewande Akinola MBE (MSc Innovation and Design for Sustainability 2012), Engineering Designer and Innovator, Innovate UK Ambassador, Vice President, Institution of Engineering and Technology
Awarded MBE in 2020 for services to engineering and diversity in STEM design and innovation
- Sarah Black-Smith (MSc Operations Excellence 2016), Sustainability Lead, Siemens, Industrial Advisory Board Member, Cranfield University
- Russell Cameron (Fellowship in Manufacturing Management 1984), Director of Cyber Consulting and Digital Trust, Thales UK
- Dr Ayotunde Coker (MSc Engineering and Management of Manufacturing Systems 1989), CEO, Open Access Data Centres
- Maureen Kirk (MSc Manufacturing Management 1991), Senior Audit Manager, Transport for London
- Dr Andy Palmer (PhD Engineering Management 2004), Founder and CEO, Palmer Automotive, Chairman, Hilo and Inobat, former CEO, Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd
Honorary graduate
- Mahendra Patel (MSc Industrial Engineering and Administration 1973), Chairman and Managing Director, Mamata Machinery Pvt. Ltd, Mahatma Group, Executive Vice Chairman of Klockner Desma Machinery Pvt Ltd, and of Milacron India Ltd, Chairman, Mentorcap, Chairman, Hyperion Research
- Carole Sanz-Paris (MSc Advanced Materials 1997), Principal Investment Officer, Head of Debt Capital Markets and Structured Finance, IDB Invest
- Ross Stuart (Fellowship in Manufacturing 1983), CEO, Broom Marine Group, CEO, Astir Ltd, and Chairman & CEO, Volumatic, Chairman, Hearing Direct International
- Peter Thompson CBE (PhD School of Industrial and Manufacturing Science 1992), CEO, National Physical Laboratory
Awarded CBE in 2025 for services to science and technology
Transport systems
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Dr Fariba Alamdari (PhD Transport Studies 1987), Leadership Development and Executive Coach, Fariba Alamdari Consulting LLC, Former Vice-President Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Former Vice President, Boeing Global Partner Institute at The Boeing Company
Professor and Dean at Cranfield University, 1984-2006
Honorary graduate
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Adel Al Redha (MSc Air Transport 1997), Chief Operating Officer, Emirates Airlines
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Elizabeth Apthorp (MSc Advanced Motorsport Engineering 2017), Technical Project Manager at Joseph Joseph, former Design Engineer, Alpine F1 Team
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Karam Chand (MSc Air Transport 1992), Aviation Consultant, Executive Coach and Speaker, Former CEO, Royal Brunei Airlines
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Tom Chatfield (Executive MSc Air Transport Management 2004), CEO, Camber Aviation Management, Board Member, International Aviation Services Organization and Canadore Foundation
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Jessica Cooke (MSc Advanced Motorsport Engineering 2014), Structural System Engineer, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
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Mark Dunkerley (MSc Air Transport Management 1985), Board Member, Spirit Airlines, Airbus, and Volotea Airlines
Former President and CEO, Hawaiian Airlines
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Benjamin Dwyer (MSc Advanced Motorsport Engineering 2014), Senior Software Developer, General Motors
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Ian Goddard (MSc Computer Integrated Manufacturing 1995), Head of Technical Innovation and Partnerships, Alpine F1 Team
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Robert Kirk (MSc Motorsport Engineering and Management 2006), Head of Business Development, BeyondMath, Former Motorsport Director, Cosworth
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Samer Majali (MSc Air Transport 1982), Vice Chairman and CEO, Royal Jordanian, Founder, Plane Vision
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Saleem Mohammad CEng FIMechE MAPM (MSc Air Transport 1987), Former MEH Programme Director, EDF
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Rachel Nichols (MSc by Research in the School of Engineering 2012), Senior Structural Analysis Engineer, Czinger Vehicles
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Adrian Reynard (MSc Automobile Engineering 1976), Chairman, Auto Research Center LLC, previous Founder and Chairman, Reynard Motorsport Ltd
Honorary Graduate
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Liz Savage (MSc Air Transport 1995), Non-Executive Director in the travel and tourism industry
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Professor Pat Symonds (MSc Automobile Engineering 1977), Chief Technical Officer, Formula 1, Sky Sports commentator, Visiting Professor to Cranfield University
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Duong Tri Thanh (MSc Air Transport Management 1993), Former CEO, Vietnam Airlines
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James Vowles (MSc Motorsport Engineering and Management 2001), Team Principal, Williams Racing
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Ray Webster (MSc Air Transport Engineering 1976), Former CEO, EasyJet
Water
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Matilda Afriyie (MSc Water Management 2008), Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, WaterAid Ghana
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Christian Lujan Bellon (MSc Water and Wastewater Engineering 2013), Former Big Data Analyst, CDS
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Dr Clifford Braimah (PhD School of Applied Sciences 2009), Managing Director, Ghana Water Company, Dean of the School of Engineering, Tamale Technical University
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Sarah Castelvecchi (MSc Water Management 2011), Water Programme Manager, Anglian Water Services
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Mei Yee Chan (MSc Community Water and Sanitation 2014), Senior Programme Manager, TÜV SÜD
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Right Reverend Richard Charles Jackson (MSc Water and Soil Engineering), Bishop of Hereford, Clerk of the Closet, Church of England
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Dr Maxine Mayhew (PhD School of Applied Sciences 1998), Chief Operating Officer - Collections & Specialist Services, Biffa
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Dr Emma Sharp (MSc Water Pollution Control Technology 2002, PhD Natural Organic Matter Coagulation 2005), Performance and Change Business Leader, Severn Trent Water
