The Institution not only inspired the next generation, but also consolidated its role as a thought leader, providing expert advice to Government and industry.
Education
The Institution demonstrated its continued support for the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car by hosting the historic launch of the car’s genome. This project continues to be important for members as 130 are now signed up as Bloodhound Ambassadors, and many are already using it to bring engineering into schools and colleges.
Alongside Bloodhound, we have worked with the Smallpeice Trust to create ‘STEM days’ for 1,000 Year 9 students across England, Wales and Scotland. These days involve the students working together on ‘design and make’ projects to improve their creative thinking and problem-solving skills. We have also registered 250 members to work with Primary Engineer on their Engineering Maths and Physics Project and their Leaders Award. The enthusiasm and energy of the pupils makes education one of the most popular and fastest growing topics within the Institution.
Throughout 2011, the Institution continued to develop its voice on the value of engineering to the economy. Our position statements highlighted the risks posed by the increases in higher education fees, and separately on the value of apprenticeships for skills development irrespective of age. There is much more to do. Our work with partner engineering institutions remains a key contributor to this important agenda.
Manufacturing
The Manufacturing a Successful Economy? survey indicated public support for Government to help UK manufacturing and boost future skills. Over 100 manufacturers and MPs attended the annual ‘Engineering the Future, Manufacturing Summit’ which focused on rebuilding UK manufacturing, communicating that Government need to stick to a coherent plan on delivering a pro-manufacturing strategy.
Transport
Aerospace 2075 highlighted technological developments as the UK’s strength in the global aerospace sector. Recommendations included: establishing a UK Advanced Technologies Aerospace Research Centre and restoring Government research and development funding to pre-recession levels. The thought directional policy statement on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was launched at a joint Low CVP and IMechE LCA seminar attended by leading experts in the field.
Energy and environment
As governments struggle to balance the need to deliver secure and affordable energy with efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, intellectual leadership on energy remained key for the Institution. Policy statements on Energy Security and Cost-Effectiveness in Electricity Generation underpinned UK focused work in this area while our innovative thinking on the use of air capture to create negative emissions and enable carbon recycling was recognised worldwide as cutting-edge. The Institution’s report on the 21st century’s defining environmental challenge of population growth catalysed public debate and lead to a follow-on initiative, The Population Challenge. This competition attracted participants from nine countries and engaged young engineering professionals with their local public and political communities.
Learned Society events
In 2011 the Divisions and Groups organised 300 activities for over 19,000 delegates, ranging from international conferences through to local lectures and student competitions. Events debating the social implications of engineering were very popular including appropriate healthcare technologies for developing countries, the cost of railways, and the impact of Fukushima. International activities included seminars in India and Hong Kong and a technical visit to Sweden and Denmark.
Manufacturing Excellence
In 2011 the Manufacturing Excellence Awards were re-positioned as a business improvement programme for all UK-based manufacturing companies. The aim is to promote and support the best of manufacturing in the UK, as well as celebrating their achievements at the annual awards ceremony. The re-launch helped secure a 35% increase in entrants over 2010, with 21 new companies taking part for the first time. There was also a 24% increase in the media coverage that was generated.The awards ceremony continues to be the pinnacle of the Manufacturing Excellence programme and 2011 was no exception. AESSEAL took home the top prize of Overall Winner, with Loadhog being the proud recipients of the coveted Best SME trophy. There was much deliberation among the judges over all the winners, and the following companies emerged triumphant: Agfa Graphics, Bombardier Transportation, Carl Zeiss, Draeger Safety, Leyland Trucks, MBDA, Pipex px and RFD Beaufort.Mark Prisk, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, once again addressed the audience of more than 360 VIPs, manufacturers and IMechE members, as he talked about the synergies between Manufacturing Excellence and the ongoing BIS campaign: ‘Make it in Great Britain’.
The 2011 programme was supported by our partner organisations Autodesk, ERA Foundation, Lombard, Power Panels and PwC, and sponsors Arup and Barclays Corporate.
Formula Student
A record number of entries ensured that Formula Student 2011 got off to a flying start and this success continued as over 2,200 students from 34 countries including, for the first time, a team from Gaza took part in the event.The teams from across the globe assembled for the VIP opening ceremony, featuring a panel discussion with Le Mans-winning race 
engineer Leena Gade from Audi, James Allison from Lotus Renault GP, and other high-profile engineers. Formula Student’s Patron, Ross Brawn OBE, also attended the event to talk to teams. The presence of these well-known engineers helped to increase media coverage, which raises the Institution’s profile internationally. Autocar featured the event for the first time and provided the winners with a glamorous photo shoot in their London studio.Formula Student has always been regarded by employers as a means of delivering industry-ready graduates through the crucial practical experience and transferable skills that competitors gain. As a way of further enhancing links between competitors and employers, in 2011, a speed-networking event enabled students to ask recently graduated Institution members about what it is really like to work in the engineering industry.The top prize in Class 1 was presented to the University of Stuttgart, while Delft University of Technology won the Class 1A category for low carbon vehicles. 2011 was the fourth year of Class 1A, which focuses on low carbon emissions and the sustainability of the design.For the first time ever, spectator tickets were available to purchase, with almost 2,000 spectators in attendance. Formula Student is grateful for the support in 2011 of Airbus, Autodesk, E.ON, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines, National Instruments and Shell.
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