About the Society
The Whitworth Society Committee
The Whitworth Society is run, year on year, by an honorary committee of Whitworth Scholars drawn from across UK engineering. The presidency rotates annually. Below are the recent and past presidents who have shaped the Society's modern century.
President 2024–2025
Rachael Hoyle
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch. 2013
- Employer
- BAE Systems
- Course of study
- Mechanical Engineering, apprenticeship route through BAE Systems
- Apprenticeship
- BAE Systems
Project Manager in International Sales at BAE Systems.
President 2023–2024
Kevin Urquhart
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch. 1997
- Employer
- Orion Product Development Limited
- Course of study
- BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering, Newcastle University
- Apprenticeship
- Technician Apprentice at Michell Bearings
Founder of a product development consultancy in 2007.
President 2022–2023
Chris Sidney
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch. 2010
- Employer
- Rolls-Royce Plc
- Course of study
- BEng (Hons) Mechanical and Computer Aided Engineering, Sheffield Hallam University
- Apprenticeship
- Advanced Technical Apprenticeship, Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd
Supplier Quality Manager in Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce, Derby.
President 2021–2022
Laura Gilbert
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch. 1998
- Employer
- Hampshire County Council
- Course of study
- MEng in Civil Engineering with German at University of Leeds
- Postgraduate
- Project Management at University of Manchester
- Apprenticeship
- JS Bloor (Services) Limited
Chartered civil engineer.
President 2020–2021
Jenny Kenny
- Employer
- Subsea 7
Field Development Manager at Subsea 7.
President 2019–2020
James Potten
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch. 2000
- Employer
- RayTen.ai
- Course of study
- MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering at Cardiff University
- Apprenticeship
- Technician Apprentice at Honeywell
AI and Automation Advisor.
President 2018–2019
Brian Coaker
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch. 1991
- Employer
- Munitor Engineering Services Limited
- Course of study
- BEng(Hons) Physical Electronic Engineering at University of Lancaster
- Postgraduate
- PhD at Aston University
- Apprenticeship
- Technician Apprentice at EEV Limited
Two-time Past President and Chair of the Whitworth Society Trustees.
President 2017–2018
Howard Stone
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch.
- Employer
- DAL-Finance / Ecolite
- Course of study
- BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering at University of Southampton
- Postgraduate
- Engineering Doctorate; Executive MBA
- Apprenticeship
- Toolmaker at Parker Pens Ltd
Led the Society through the #Whitworth150 commemorations.
President 2016–2017
Lee Griffiths
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch. 2007
- Employer
- GOM UK Ltd
- Course of study
- BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, Nottingham Trent University
- Apprenticeship
- Technical Engineering Apprentice, Rolls-Royce Plc
Business Development in Aerospace for GOM.
President 2015–2016
Dr Ben Hughes
- Scholar
- Wh.S.Sch. 2009
- Employer
- University of Sheffield
- Course of study
- MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, Sheffield Hallam
- Postgraduate
- PhD, Sheffield Hallam
- Apprenticeship
- Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at Shell UK
Reader in Energy at the University of Sheffield.
President 2014–2015
Scott Witting
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch.
- Employer
- Drax Power Ltd
- Course of study
- MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield
- Apprenticeship
- Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at British Steel
Shift Operations Technician at Drax Power Ltd.
President 2013–2014
Karl Dearn
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch.
- Employer
- University of Birmingham
- Course of study
- MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham
- Postgraduate
- PhD Tribology
- Apprenticeship
- Technical engineering apprenticeship at Assa Abloy Ltd
Lecturer, School of Mechanical Engineering.
President 2012–2013
Gill Cooke
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch.
- Employer
- Coventry University
- Course of study
- BEng (Hons) Manufacturing and Business Studies
- Postgraduate
- PhD quality management
- Apprenticeship
- Engineering Technician at Dunlop Aviation
Associate Head of Engineering Management department.
President 2011–2012
David Eaves
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch.
- Employer
- Springfields Fuels Ltd
- Course of study
- MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Cambridge
- Apprenticeship
- Electrician at BNFL
Six Sigma Black Belt.
Honorary Secretary · President 2010–2011
Vicky Bradley
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch.
- Employer
- QinetiQ Limited
- Course of study
- MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering + Dipl.-Ing(FH)
- Postgraduate
- ISMM Diploma; Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies
- Apprenticeship
- Technical apprenticeship at Allen Gears Ltd
Commercial Manager at QinetiQ.
President 2008–2009
Peter Whyman
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch.
- Employer
- Doncasters Bramah
- Course of study
- BEng (Hons) Automotive Engineering Design
- Apprenticeship
- Prototype Sheet Metal Worker at Park Sheet Metal Co Ltd
Lead Engineer manufacturing prototype exhaust casings for the JSF LiftSystem.
President 2007–2008
Steve Davison
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch.
- Employer
- Cavendish Nuclear
- Course of study
- MEng Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds
- Apprenticeship
- Mechanical Technician with Davy McKee
Business and General Manager for Cavendish Nuclear.
President 2005–2006
Steve Beck
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch.
- Employer
- Sony Semiconductor
- Course of study
- BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering
- Postgraduate
- OU Technology Management
- Apprenticeship
- Electronics Technician with Rediffusion Flight Simulation
IC design team lead.
President 2004–2005
David Wood
- Scholar
- Wh.Sch.
- Employer
- Ioko365 Ltd
- Course of study
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Postgraduate
- OU Professional Diploma in Management Studies
- Apprenticeship
- GEC Avionics
Programme and project management across consultancy companies.