Engineering Needs Everyone: Inclusivity by Design

Dr Alice Bunn: CEO, Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Dr Alice Bunn is Chief Executive of the Institution for Mechanical Engineers. Alice is a Fellow of the Institution and took up her role as CEO in July 2021. Alice is responsible for delivering our mission of improving the world through engineering, working as one team with our highly valued members and staff. Alice brings a focus on our values of inclusivity, impact, innovation and integrity - in developing future strategy and in the day to day running of the Institution’s business. In her previous role, she was International Director at the UK Space Agency, responsible for increasing the UK’s global influence in science, security and trade through space. Alice sits on the Board of EngineeringUK; is Chair of the Professional Engineering Committee; is President of the UKSpace trade association; acts as advisor to Orbitfab; and sits on the World Economic Forum Future Council on space technology. She is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Chair of the trustee board at the charity SwimTayka and is Patron of the General Steam Navigation Restoration Project. She is married with 4 children, 1 dog and 1 cat. Alice also has a PhD in Metallurgy from Darwin College, University of Cambridge. Alice was awarded an OBE in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the UK space sector and to charity.

Professor Anne Nortcliffe: Dean of Faculty of Arts, Computing and Engineering, Wrexham University

Professor Anne Nortcliffe is the Dean of Faculty of Arts, Computing and Engineering as member of the University Senior Leadership Team.  Professor of Inclusive Engineering and Technology.

Prior to Anne joining Wrexham University Anne was the Founding Head of Engineering, Technology and Design at Canterbury Christ Church University, a new equity, inclusive and diverse engineering higher education provision.  Anne has industry and academic experience over 30 years of experience in educating the next generation of engineering graduates across all fields of engineering. Anne is an experienced and internationally published researcher and developer of engineering education, passionately working with colleagues and students to develop good practice engineering and computing education.

Winner of Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Awards 2022 in the Contribution to Gender Diversity.  Anne was also awarded Winner of Engineering Talent Awards Executive Leader of the Year 2021 for leading on equality, diversity and inclusion in engineering.

Jeff Greenidge: Director for Diversity & Governance, Association of Colleges

Jeff Greenidge is a seasoned senior education leader known for his independent and strategic thinking. He has taught at all levels, from primary and secondary to adult education and postgraduate teaching at Swansea University. Jeff worked with the Welsh and UK Governments on the National Curriculum's design and implementation before spending three years developing European vocational training programmes.

He then spent 17 years at learndirect, starting as Director in Wales, then Northern Ireland, and ultimately overseeing education and training delivery across the UK. Since leaving learndirect in 2015, Jeff has supported education and community organisations to enhance their impact. He is currently the Director for Diversity and Governance at the Association of Colleges, a non-executive director at MTC Training and Ufi VochTech Trust, and a Board Director at Medr, overseeing post-16 education and research in Wales. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys walking and cycling in the mountains of South Wales.

Professor Helen James OBE: Chair, IMechE Education and Skills Strategy Board

Helen James OBE is Professor (Emerita) and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Canterbury Christ Church University. She has over forty years in engineering, science and tertiary and higher education, holding a range of external leadership roles, including Director, Trustee and Chair. Currently, she is Chair, Education and Skills Board, IMechE; Trustee and Director of Turner Schools MAT; and member and former Founding Chair, Strategic Industry Advisory Board for the Kent and Medway Engineering, Design, Growth and Enterprise Hub (EDGE Hub). Helen has supported grass roots STEM outreach throughout her career and she founded Xplore!, the Science Discovery Centre in Wrexham, in direct response to her passion and commitment to increasing and widening participation in STEM. Helen undertook a mechanical engineering apprenticeship at Vickers Shipbuilding Ltd and tertiary education at Barrow in Furness College of FE from the age of 16. She subsequently became an armaments design engineer and environment test engineer and systems engineer in the Space industry. Helen believes passionately in the power of education to transform lives and create an inclusive society, and in the capacity for STEM to transform our economy, health and wellbeing.

Shini Somara: Board Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering and Pro Chancellor, Brunel University London

As a multi-award winning Chartered Mechanical Engineer, with a Doctorate in Fluid Dynamics and years in industry as a fluid dynamicist, Dr. Shini Somara is now an established and experienced STEM Media Producer and Broadcaster, who translates any complex STEM topic into television, digital and literary content for all.

Shini has published seven STEM books. Her latest “Engineers Making a Difference” was donated to every secondary state school in the UK, with the aim of smashing through outdated stereotypes and updating the reputation of engineers.

Increasing diversity in STEM is central to Shini’s mission, because inclusion leads to improved innovation. Her content on television, digital platforms and live events is both entertaining and informative. After two decades both in front and behind camera presenting science, technology and innovation on the BBC, Channel 4, PBS Digital, Al Jazeera, Sky and UKTV, Shini hosted two highly successful YouTube series, Crash Course Physics and Crash Course Engineering, which has received over 61 million views since 2016. Her work in media earned her the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering Rooke Award 2024.

Shini was elected Fellow of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and as Pro-Chancellor of Brunel University, chairs their Strategic Advisory Board at The Faculty of Engineering. She is on the Board of Trustees of PK PorthCurno Global Museum of Communication; a panel member at English Heritage, Blue Plaques Committee and an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineering Designers.

Charlotte Briers: Rolling Stock Lead, Alstom Performance System

Charlotte Briers is Alstom’s Rolling Stock Performance Lead and Chair of the Voices of Women employee resource group. She works at Alstom’s historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, the company’s base for train manufacturing in the UK.

Graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Durham University in 2001, Charlotte has been with Alstom since 2012, where she has worked on signature projects, including the Aventra platform – the UK's largest train production programme for a generation.

Charlotte’s leadership has significantly shaped Alstom’s commitment to fostering a culture of equality and empowerment. Her initiatives have addressed critical issues such as gender parity, inclusive policies and professional development opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Her influence extends internationally, with representation at events such as the Alstom Women of Excellence annual summit in Canada in 2022. She has also spent time highlighting the importance of gender balance among colleagues in France, including among the company's most senior leaders. Closer to home, she was also invited to a UK parliamentary reception that celebrated talented women across various industries.

In 2024, Charlotte received the Verena Winifred Holmes Award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), recognising her exceptional leadership in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within the rail industry.

Steven Murray: Senior Resourcing Lead, Babcock

Steven has over 20 years’ experience in Talent Acquisition, resourcing and workforce planning. He works for Babcock international as their Senior Resourcing Lead, overseeing recruitment and resourcing for the North of the UK for both experienced hires and early careers.

Has been working to resource major projects, such as the £1.25Bn Type 31 frigate construction programme in Rosyth, submarine dismantling and support as well as Hinkley Point C construction in the Clean Energy sector. Babcock are one of the UKs leading Engineering firms, hiring hundreds of experienced Engineers every year along with a significant graduate and apprenticeship programme. They are firm supporters of the IMechE and sponsor various activities, including Formula Student.

Prior to Babcock, Steven spent 13 years in construction recruitment working with Engineering firms ranging from major international organisations to SME independent consultants.

Steven is committed to increasing diversity of hire and opening up opportunities in the workforce to those who may not traditionally get opportunities whilst ensuring Babcock is at the forefront of talent.

Outside of work, steven is kept busy with a young family and a keen interest in all things outdoors and also is a Charity Trustee and Treasurer of his local Scout Group.

Abbey Addison: Trustee Board Member, Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Abbey graduated with a BEng Joint Honours in Mechanical and Materials Engineering from the University of Birmingham and has 10 years’ experience in the Royal Air Force as an Engineering Officer. She has maintained aircraft and led teams of engineers in austere and dynamic environments across the globe, deployed on military operations.  

Now a veteran, she is establishing strong links between the IMechE, veterans and STEM returners in industry. As a director for a major infrastructure consultancy firm, she specialises in projects that deliver sustainable buildings, smart transport solutions and NetZero pathways for clients.   

Passionate about her role as a STEM ambassador, Abbey is also a keen advocate of workplace diversity and inclusion, speaking regularly on the issues. Abbey joined the Trustee Board in 2023 as an Ordinary Member, sitting on the Regional Strategy Board and Steering Groups for the Institution.