The Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, Paul Jackson, has decided to step down after eight years in the role and will leave the organisation in July 2017.

Malcolm Brinded, Chairman of the EngineeringUK Board, said: “During Paul's tenure, we have built the Big Bang and Tomorrow's Engineers programmes to reach almost half a million children per year, and are seeing encouraging signs of increased enthusiasm and choice of STEM subjects and engineering by young people.

“This has only been possible by the support of industry and the many charities, schools, colleges and universities who have been willing to pool their resources, as well as close cooperation with the Royal Academy of Engineering and all the Professional Engineering Institutions. These are both themes that the board is determined to build on in the future.

“The annual Engineering UK report has become an invaluable "go-to" source of information about supply and demand for engineers in the UK. The process of selecting a successor is in train, but Paul will be a hard act to follow. The Board of Trustees are highly appreciative of the contributions that Paul has made to this successful record and wish him well in his future career.”