Thursday 21 September 2023

NNL is delighted to announce that our Chair, Ian Funnell, has been made a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Ian was one of 73 individuals bestowed this prestigious honour in recognition of their exceptional contribution to the fields of engineering and technology.

The Royal Academy of Engineering is one of the four learned societies in the UK and has been at the forefront of promoting engineering as a critical component of our country’s economy and national identity. Being made a Fellow is considered to be one of the highest national honours that an engineer may receive.

Ian has enjoyed a long and successful career in engineering, earning a reputation as a prominent and passionate voice on STEM, diversity and sustainability. He will be formally admitted to the Academy at a special ceremony in London on 28 November 2023.

Ian joined NNL as Chair in January 2022, following seven years as the CEO of ABB Ltd and Hitachi Energy Ltd in the UK and Ireland. Alongside his NNL role, Ian is also Chair of the NG Bailey Group, Chair of the Energy Futures Laboratory at Imperial College London, and advisor to the Chair of Hitachi Europe. He is also an Ambassador of the Women’s Leaders Association.

Upon announcement of his fellowship, Ian said: “I’m thrilled be elected as Fellow at the Royal Academy of Engineering. We live in an era of rapid change across our communities, country, and planet and there is a huge diversity of engineers who strive to address some of the world’s most complex challenges, to benefit society and the economy.

“I’m so glad I chose engineering as a career; it is an honour to be an engineer. Today I join 72 other leading figures in the field of engineering and technology to be elected this year. My heartfelt congratulations to them all. My thanks also to all the organisations I work with – National Nuclear Laboratory; NG Bailey; Hitachi; Energy Futures Lab, Imperial College London; and the WLA (Women Leaders Association).”