Paul Bailey has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Engineering Council. He will be taking up the role in May following the retirement of Alasdair Coates.

Paul has been the Deputy CEO & Operations Director at the Engineering Council for over eight years, prior to which he was Deputy CEO at the Royal Aeronautical Society.

On his appointment, Paul said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to lead the Engineering Council and I look forward to continuing work with all our stakeholders, particularly our registrants and the professional engineering institutions, to position professional registration as a cornerstone of an innovative and forward-looking industry.

“I am dedicated to continuing our focus on key societal matters, such as diversity and inclusion, ethics and sustainability, as we continue to ensure there are no barriers to professional recognition. In a rapidly changing and increasingly innovative industry, it is vital we can provide the means for engineers and technicians to demonstrate their competence and commitment as they constantly develop and improve their skills.

“The Engineering Council plays a very important role in regulating and promoting the engineering profession and I will be focused on working with the Board of Trustees, volunteers, stakeholders, and our excellent staff team to help deliver our strategic objectives and build on our many achievements”.

In a statement that was echoed by incoming Chair, Prof John Chudley CEng FIMarEST, the current Chair of the Engineering Council, Prof Chris Atkin CEng FRAeS FREng, commented:

“After a detailed and thorough selection process, Paul’s understanding of the engineering profession’s key issues, including diversity and inclusion, sustainability, digital innovation and governance, coupled with the role the regulator can play in helping address these, really stood out. Paul’s experience working in a number of previous roles within a professional engineering institution and the Engineering Council will provide the understanding and leadership required to work collaboratively with stakeholders to help to continually develop the profession.”

Alasdair Coates BEng(Hons) MSc CEng FICE MCIHT CMIOSH, who will be retiring from his role as the current Chief Executive, said:

“Paul brings to the role a great depth of knowledge with respect to regulation and the professional engineering landscape, and I have confidence that his appointment will ensure the successful delivery of the Engineering Council’s strategy for stakeholders, registrants, and the professional engineering community. I wish him all the very best.”

For press enquiries:
Helen Potts, Engineering Council – hpotts@engc.org.uk, 020 3206 0568

The Engineering Council holds the national Register of Engineering Technicians (EngTech), Incorporated Engineers (IEng), Chartered Engineers (CEng) and Information and Communication Technology Technicians (ICTTech). It also sets and maintains the internationally recognised standards of competence and ethics that govern the award and retention of these titles. By this means it is able to ensure that employers, government and wider society, both at home and overseas, can have confidence in the skills and commitment of registrants. For more information visit: www.engc.org.uk