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Carol Vorderman amongst IET’s Honorary Fellows 2021 line-up

Published: Mon 1 Nov 2021

Six outstanding engineers, technologists and notable figures within STEM have been awarded for their outstanding contribution to the engineering and technology industry, with an Honorary Fellowship from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Amongst the line-up are broadcaster, writer, pilot and STEM expert Carol Vorderman and Stephen Metcalfe MP (Conservative MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock), former Government Envoy for the Year of Engineering in 2018.

On receiving her accolade, Carol said: “I feel truly honoured to have received this award. I’ve worked with the IET in recent years celebrating the engineering profession and its impact on our world.

As one of the first women to read Engineering at Cambridge University in the 1970s, I’ve watched as the profession has changed and continues to change. My love for engineering never abates.  

To be recognised alongside world-renowned engineers and technologists is fantastic.”

The six Honorary Fellows for 2021 are:

  • Grace Baxter BSc in recognition of her outstanding service to the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
  • Sir George Buckley FREng DSc PhD in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the engineering profession
  • Margaret Graham BEng MSc in recognition of her outstanding service to the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
  • Keith Marshall OBE BSc FCGI in recognition of his outstanding service to the Institution of Engineering and Technology
  • Stephen Metcalfe MP in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the engineering profession
  • Carol Vorderman MBE MA in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the engineering profession.

On awarding the Honorary Fellowships, IET President Sir Julian Young, said: “I’m delighted that our Institution is marking the outstanding achievements of these distinguished people with one of the IET’s highest honours, Honorary Fellowship.

They each have excelled in their own technical disciplines, made truly great contributions across our engineering profession, and inspired others through their expertise, knowledge, and service. 

They should all be justifiably proud of their accomplishments, with each being extremely well-deserved.”

Read the full list of IET Honorary Fellows on the IET’s website.

--ENDS--

Notes to editors:

Quotes from each Honorary Fellow  

  • Grace Baxter said: “I am surprised and thrilled to receive this honour. It is wonderful to be acknowledged in this way and I am looking forward to using this to further promote Engineering as a rewarding and fulfilling career.”
  • Sir George Buckley “The award of this Honorary Fellowship by the IET was a huge surprise, but it was also a very heart warming and humbling experience.  We all travel through our lives trying to do what's right without necessarily looking right or left and most certainly not expecting any recognition for it. When these unexpected occasions come along, they warm the cockles of our hearts.  We are blessed to work in a wonderful profession and have so many new chances to do what is right for society.
    “The award is simultaneously a great honour and a humbling experience.  I'm so very grateful to the IET for this fine recognition.”
  • Margaret Graham “What and immense and completely unexpected surprise to be selected to receive such an esteemed award of an Honorary Fellowship of the IET. While absolutely delighted, I am also humbled that that I can be considered alongside the many other notable distinguished people who also hold this prestigious title.
    “I thoroughly enjoy championing engineering, whether it be in schools, conferences, work or day to day activities and with my IET volunteering activities I have been allowed to expand, demonstrate and share my passion to an even wider audience. I would sincerely like to thank the IET for this incredible honour.”
  • Keith Marshall OBE BSc FCGI said: “I was surprised, delighted and honoured to receive notification of this award.  Even more so when I became aware of other recipients.  I joined the IET (or IEE as it was then) in my first year at Imperial College and have continued in membership ever since.
    “In the early years, the Institution was giving to me in terms of technical detail, contacts and interaction with other engineers.  More recently I would like to think that I have given something back particularly in the area of education and training.  I am exceptionally proud to have been identified for this award by my Institution.”
  • Stephen Metcalfe MP said: “I am truly honoured to have been invited to become an Honorary Fellow of the IET and delighted to accept. The work the IET does to promote STEM education and particularly to highlight the opportunities that engineering offers to address the many global challenges we face is excellent and completely in accord with my work in and outside of Parliament.
    “Together we can show that regardless of background, gender or ethnicity there is a place for everyone in this vitally important sector and I hope that the award of the Honorary Fellowship will help both myself and the IET to continue this important work.”
  • Carol Vorderman MBE said: “I feel truly honoured to have received this award. I’ve worked with the IET in recent years celebrating the engineering profession and its impact on our world. As one of the first women to read Engineering at Cambridge University in the 1970s, I’ve watched as the profession has changed and continues to change. My love for engineering never abates. To be recognised alongside world-renowned engineers and technologists is fantastic.”

 

About the IET

  • We inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community to engineer a better world.
  • We are a diverse home for engineering and technology intelligence throughout the world. This breadth and depth means we are uniquely placed to help the sector progress society.
  • We want to build the profile of engineering and technology to change outdated perceptions and tackle the skills gap. This includes encouraging more women to become engineers and growing the number of engineering apprentices.
  • Interview opportunities are available with our spokespeople from a range of engineering and technology disciplines including cyber-security, energy, engineering skills, innovation, manufacturing, technology, transport and diversity in engineering.
  • For more information, visit www.theiet.org
  • Follow the IET on Twitter.

Media enquiries to:

Hannah Kellett
External Communications Manager
E: hkellett@theiet.org

Sophie Lockhart
Senior Communications Executive
E: slockhart@theiet.org