Members of the Cranfield University community, including alumni and honorary graduates, have been recognised with the highest distinction an engineer can achieve in the UK, being named as Fellows and Honorary Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Fellowship scheme recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to engineering and innovation. The honours awarded to the University’s alumna reflect many of the areas in which Cranfield is internationally recognised including energy systems, manufacturing and materials, defence and engineering technology.
Cranfield alumni elected Fellows
Professor Beverley Gibbs FREng - Executive MBA
Professor Gibbs, Vice-President and President-Elect of the Engineering Professors' Council, has been elected a Fellow in recognition of her distinguished contribution to engineering education, applied research, policy development and leadership.
Mark McAllister FREng - Management Development Programme
As Chair of Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator, Mark plays a central role in overseeing the nation's energy system. He was previously Chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation and has held several executive positions across the energy sector.
Professor Alan Partridge FREng - Business Leaders Programme
Professor Alan Partridge is Director of the Defence Materials Centre of Excellence at the Sir Henry Royce Institute, University of Manchester. His work spans advanced materials, defence technologies and industrial innovation.
Honorary graduates recognised as Honorary Fellows
Katherine Bennett CBE HonFREng - Honorary Graduate, 2019
Chief Executive of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Katherine has been elected an Honorary Fellow in recognition of her leadership in strengthening UK manufacturing and innovation.
Dame Hayaatun Sillem DBE HonFREng - Honorary Graduate, 2023
Former CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Dame Hayaatun Sillem, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Argentic Associates, is widely recognised for championing engineering talent, innovation and greater inclusion across the profession.
A shared impact across engineering and innovation
This prestigious recognition for Cranfield’s alumni and Honorary Graduates from the Royal Academy of Engineering reflects the University’s influence across key industrial sectors that are critical to the UK's future prosperity.
Professor Dame Helen Atkinson DBE FREng, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, said, “Congratulations to our Cranfield community members on this outstanding recognition. Their success goes to prove how at Cranfield, we have a key role in powering pioneers – creating the innovators and leaders who can help shape society and engineer better lives.”
Sir John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “Our Fellowship has been at the core of our work for the past 50 years, connecting the businesses leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and policymakers who are at the heart of the UK’s technological progress.
“This year’s cohort will be joining a community of over 1,700 top engineers and innovators in the UK and around the world. Together, we ensure that bright ideas are supported, scaled and shared, turning ambition into innovation and innovation into impact. We aim to strengthen education, skills and inclusion to inspire and equip the engineers of today and tomorrow.”
