Engineering news
A number of engineers and scientists have been recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours, including Technology Strategy Board boss Iain Gray, and Professor Helen Valerie Atkinson, head of the engineering department at the University of Leicester.
Technology Strategy Board (TSB) chief executive and former Airbus man Gray, a chartered engineer, received a CBE for services to science, technology and innovation. He joined the TSB in 2007 from the aircraft manufacturer, where he was managing director of its British operation. Professor Atkinson, chair, metals processing and head of the department of engineering, University of Leicester, also picked up a CBE for services to engineering and education. The university announced in November that it was the lead institution in a new centre for doctoral training in metal processing, part of a £350 million initiative to train more than 3,500 postgraduate students in engineering and physical sciences backed by universities and science minister David Willetts. The investment, targeted at 24 universities, is said to to be the largest ever investment in postgraduate training in engineering and physical sciences.
Other engineers and scientists to be honoured in this year's list, which includes more women than men for the first time, are:
CBE
Professor Doreen Cantrell, FRS, FRSE. Vice-principal and head of college, life sciences, University of Dundee. For services to life sciences;
Professor Carole Anne Goble. Professor, computer science, University of Manchester. For services to science;
David Warren Arthur East. Formerly chief executive at microprocessor firm ARM Holdings. For services to the technology industry;
Paul David Skinner. Chairman, Infrastructure UK. For services to business and infrastructure;
Nicholas Paul Winser. Executive director, UK National Grid. For services to the energy industry;
Professor Lesley Jane Yellowlees, MBE, FRSE. President, Royal Society of Chemistry. For services to chemistry;
Christopher John Mairs. Chief scientist, Metaswitch Networks. For services to engineering.
DBE
Professor Frances Clare Kirwan, FRS. Professor of mathematics, University of Oxford. For services to mathematics;
Professor Julia Mary Slingo, OBE. Chief scientist, Meteorological Office. For services to weather and climate science;
Professor Celia Mary Hoyles, OBE. Formerly director, National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics. For services to education.
OBE
Professor Paul Stephen Cannon, FREng. Formerly director, Poynting Institute, QinetiQ and University of Birmingham. For services to engineering;
MBE
Estelle Ann Rowe. National director, Headstart Programme, Engineering Development Trust, Birmingham. For services to education;
Roy Williams. Engineer and equipment examiner, Ministry of Defence. For services to defence engineering;
George Morgan. Chairman, Pektron Group. For services to electronic engineering;
Ronald Ayres. For services to engineering.