INSPIRING, INFORMING AND INFLUENCING

CW: Tell us about yourself and how you got into the sector.

EA: I first got into the sector when I was working in a finance and planning role for a national building contractor. This gave me a great insight into how the construction sector works and how important teamwork and professionalism are on site. Having been interested in engineering and technology since an early age, I was later pleased to take up a role at what was then the IEE (Institution of Electrical Engineers), which later led to becoming Finance Director after the merger which led to the formation of the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology).

CW: For those who may not know, can you give us an overview of the work that the IET does?

EA: As well as our role in the Wiring Regulations (BS7671), the IET is known as one of the world’s largest engineering institutions, with 154,000 members across 148 countries. It’s our mission to inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community, supporting technology innovation to meet the needs of society. This includes being a significant publisher of academic research.

We’re here to support our members at every stage of their career, from those just starting out to those who have worked in the profession for most of their life. We offer learning and development resources, mentoring, accreditation, support for students, career support, professional registration, plus lots of courses and training. We also work to inspire the next generation of engineers through a range of education programmes and initiatives that aim to challenge outdated perceptions of engineering and technology and show just how exciting, creative and varied careers in the sector can be.

CW: Tell us about your current role – what are you responsible for and what does the normal working day consist of?

EA: The IET is a membership body and a charity, so the role of Chief Executive is to lead the staff team and work with the trustees to develop the strategy of the organisation. My working days can be quite variable, for example, in the morning I might be at the staff offices in Hertfordshire looking at operational performance, and in the afternoon perhaps a meeting in parliament where IET is promoting solutions to improving the take-up of engineering sector skills in the education system.

A good amount of my time is spent meeting with stakeholders to understand how best we can work together and build relationships with our partners. This will often take me to universities or engineering employers, as well as other professional institutions with whom we work. We are active internationally, so occasionally I’ll be working with colleagues around the world.

CW: What are the best things about your role? What are the most challenging?

EA: It’s a tremendous pleasure to lead the IET, and for me, the best part is working with our diverse network of members, volunteers and colleagues. We touch every part of engineering and technology and I know that the work we do really is trying to help make better sense of the world and solve challenges that matter.

The most challenging part is making sure I can keep up with all aspects of what the IET is doing, and spending enough time both inside and outside the organisation to ensure we apply our resources where we can have most impact.

CW: How has COVID-19 affected the industry? What are the positives to come from the pandemic?

EA: Throughout the pandemic construction sites largely remained open but, as time went on, some construction materials were in short supply and, of course, like everything else, prices of materials rose significantly. We have just passed the third anniversary of the start of the first UK lockdown and some supply chains are still struggling, with prices of materials seemingly still rising.

Looking at positives, we all went through a sharp learning curve with technology – meetings were held remotely and the process of ordering of materials online was streamlined, for example. Construction processes have evolved too – for example, electrical contractors working on the new football stadium for Everton are working remotely on the electrical installation in modular form. Once assembled it will be moved to site for installation and commissioning. This approach has really grown following the pandemic.

I also think looking at the engineering and technology sector more generally, the pandemic really showcased our fantastic medical professionals, scientists and engineers who were working so hard to find solutions. It put them front and centre during the crisis and raised awareness of how important STEM is to our daily lives, especially when faced with the big challenges for society.

CW: Aside from COVID-19, what have been the biggest changes across the industry in recent times? What will be the biggest changes in the future?

EA: Looking at the electrical industry specifically, the biggest change is without doubt smart technology in electrical installations. Domestic electrical installations used to be about lights and sockets; but this is changing so quickly. The ability to control lighting, heating, security, you name it, from our phones has changed things forever. We’re also seeing a huge rise in the growth in renewable energy, such as heat pumps and battery storage – the days of the ‘evergreen’ electrician are over. With so much new technology coming in, skill sets are constantly needing to adapt and be agile – every electrical installer must keep up with the changes to ensure they remain competent.

CW: What’s next for you and for the IET?

EA: My focus for this year includes driving forward our influence, knowledge and expertise to show the role that engineering and technology plays in the future of our society and planet, specifically in solving societal challenges. We have a 2030 strategy that focuses on the needs and challenges of society. By 2030, we hope to accelerate the pace of development and adoption of technology that supports the move towards a zero carbon future. We also aim to increase public trust in digital technology, and support practitioners through a period of change with the application of standards, regulation and the sharing of best practice.

CW: Do you have any career advice for anyone starting out in the industry?

EA: Whenever I meet young engineers, I’m impressed by the energy and enthusiasm they have, as well as the knowledge they can bring, for example, in relation to new technologies. I would encourage anyone in early career to be curious, eager to learn and not be afraid of taking on new challenges or responsibilities. It’s those challenges which give us the opportunity to develop, gain recognition and progress in our careers. It also helps to be open minded about what roles you take on –quite often the doors that open in life are unexpected, so flexibility can sometimes lead to new opportunities.

Finally, I would encourage those starting in any sector to spend time with more experienced colleagues, who can often provide insights in how an organisation works and help with any issues that come up.

CW: What do you think are the most exciting products or technologies coming to the market?

With so much new technology coming in, skill sets are constantly needing to adapt and be agile

EA: I’m interested in sustainability, so from my perspective I’m excited about the increasing role of domestic renewables and power storage, heat pumps, vehicle to grid and the way these technologies are reshaping power distribution and storage.

I’m also a fan of smart home technology, and particularly how these can be integrated into existing homes in simpler and more resilient ways. It’s often said ‘there’s an app for everything’, but I would hope we move towards a position where there is more integration and standardisation which allows ‘one app for everything’, at least for home management.

CW: What are your interests away from work?

EA: I do enjoy a practical project so last summer I was building a cabin in the garden as well as remodelling an old pond. As with many of these home-office projects now, extending ethernet capability and using smart sockets provided the connectivity and automated control that suited me.

My wife and I discovered a new family activity this year with Parkrun – a great way to start any weekend with a sociable 5k run and a coffee. I was also one of those people who took up paddleboarding during the pandemic, and I do find it a great way to get outside, get some exercise and reconnect with nature. I have dabbled with wild swimming, but after a particularly chilling experience on Christmas Day I’ve decided there’s no shame in staying on, rather than in, the water.

IET, theiet.org