Appointment of new Engineering Council Chair

The Engineering Council would like to congratulate Prof John Chudley CEng FIMarEST on his appointment to the position of Chair of the Engineering Council’s Board of Trustees. John will take up the role in June 2023 at the Engineering Council’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), at which Professor Chris Atkin CEng FRAeS FREng formally completes his term as Chair.

Reflecting on his time as Chair and the appointment of his successor, Chris said: “Serving on, and then chairing, the Board of the Engineering Council has been an extremely rewarding experience. Assuring the competence and commitment of engineering professionals, and the domestic and international recognition of our standards for the Profession, is one of the most important tasks I have been able to contribute towards. I welcome John’s appointment and wish him and the Engineering Council well in their essential work.”

Nominated by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), John has served on the Engineering Council’s Board of Trustees since 2017 and chairs the Registration Standards Committee. He was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Engineering Council in 2021, including supporting the implementation of the Engineering Council’s 2025 Strategy.

Speaking about his appointment, John said: “I am honoured to be appointed as Chair of the Engineering Council. Building on my role as a Trustee and Vice-Chair, I look forward to working to ensure that all pathways to registration are clearly mapped and equally valued, moving us towards a more diverse and engaged registrant population. The Engineering Council will continue to maintain the public’s confidence in the engineering profession through setting and maintaining internationally-recognised standards, not only of engineering competence, but also of professional commitment.”

John began his career as a mechanical engineering apprentice, before progressing through higher education and completing a PhD in marine technology. Over the course of his career, he has held various academic positions, including Provost of Warsash Maritime Academy at Southampton Solent University (where he was also Professor of Engineering Education) and Head of the Institute of Marine Studies and Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Plymouth. He is currently the Rector of MLA College, a Council Member of the RNLI and active in supporting the IMarEST.

Having experienced the benefits and opportunities of a vocational education, John is a keen advocate of this path into education and work. He is also passionate about representing the engineering profession, championing and valuing all routes into professional registration at all levels.

John has also worked with the Civil Service, including serving as Director of the Learning and Skills Council and the National Apprenticeship Service, where he was instrumental in the development of Higher Apprenticeships and Degree Apprenticeships.

Meet the Engineering Council’s Board.