IET members and Fellows recognised in King’s New Years Honours list

The 2026 New Year Honours list has been released, with IET Members and Fellows recognised for their outstanding contributions – from advancing engineering and technology, inspiring the next generation, and driving innovation across their fields.

Included in the list is:

• IET Fellow Matthew Baker has been awarded an MBE for services to Technology and to Wireless Communications. 
• World-leading figure in optical networks and IET Honorary Fellow, Professor Polina Bayvel has been appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to engineering and optical communications, recognising her sustained and internationally influential contributions to the field.
• IET member and CEO of the Engineering Development Trust (EDT), Julie Feest, has been awarded an OBE for her services to young people, recognising her work to create opportunities, remove barriers and inspire future STEM professionals.
• Leading intelligent transport systems consultant, and IET Fellow, Andy Graham has been awarded an MBE for his services to transport safety and efficiency.
• IET Fellow Andrew McNaughton FREng has been appointed CBE for services and leadership in national infrastructure.
• IET Fellow Andrew Windass, who has been a member for over 50 years and is a Senior Engineer at AGH Engineering Ltd, was awarded an MBE for his services to the rail industry. 

Successes in depth

Julie Feest has led EDT and Industrial Cadets for over eight years, during which the charity celebrated its 400,000th Industrial Cadets experience. She is now steering a mission to inspire one million young people to pursue careers in industry by 2035.

Driven by her belief in the power of opportunity, Julie is passionate about helping young people into fulfilling STEM careers, especially in sectors such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, construction, digital and AI. Her own journey began with a maths teacher who inspired her confidence; she later became the first in her family to earn a university degree, studying Maths and Computer Science. After a successful tech sales career, she shifted her focus to making a positive impact on young people – a mission she has championed for more than 20 years.

On receiving her OBE, Julie said: “I’m incredibly honoured by this recognition, but it reflects the dedication of the amazing team, partners, volunteers and supporters who make our work possible. Above all, it belongs to the young people we work for, whose ambition and potential inspire everything we do.”

“There has never been a more important time to focus on young people, exciting them about their future in industries such as renewable energy, AI, advanced manufacturing and defence – in industries of growth where there is a sustained career, regardless of your background and geography. For the UK economy we must all collaborate to ensure our early talent, who will soon become our workforce, have work readiness skills and are able to succeed. I will continue to strive to make this happen.”

Another NYH recipient is Fellow Andrew Windass, who has been a member for over 50 years and is a Senior Engineer at AGH Engineering Ltd. Andrew was awarded an MBE for his services to the rail industry, which includes training the next generation of engineers.

Andrew has been directly involved in many significant projects and changes within the rail industry over the past 50 years, producing remits, undertaking surveys, designs and providing support on site. These schemes have included changes to rail infrastructure brought about by the transition from steam to diesel to electric locomotives, the conversion from gas to electric lighting, the introduction of CCTV and lighting at level crossings, major schemes at Kings Cross Station, Leeds Station, Reading Station, Great Western Route Modernisation and recently the East Coast Digital Railway Programme plus many, many more. He has also been integral to the successful development and delivery of the AGHE IET accredited Professional Development Scheme – helping countless young engineers with their own career journeys.

Featuring on BBC News Online, Andrew explained that although he'd first received the letter informing him of his inclusion on the list five weeks prior, it felt like "five years" had passed before he could tell anybody.

"I was totally amazed, utterly delighted and very proud," he said. "I've lost count of the number of times I've read the letter and nipped myself to make sure I'm not dreaming."

Other notable pioneers and leaders across STEM recognised include:

Engineering

• Peter Brewin – for services to Engineering Materials Innovation
• William Crawford – for services to Engineering Materials Innovation and to Export
• Prof Suzanne Farid FREng – for services to advancing biochemical engineering
• Luisa Freitas dos Santos FREng – for services to pharmaceutical engineering
• Dr Philip Henry IND – for services to Defence
• Alexandra Knight MBE CEng FIMechE – for services to Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering
• Dr Fiona Rayment FREng FRSE – for services to nuclear engineering
• Andrew Salter – for services to Defence Engineering and to Young People
• Dr Roni Savage FREng – for Services to Young People, to Business and to Construction
• Bobby Seagull MBE – for championing public libraries and STEM learning
• Ruth Shilston – for services to Sustainable Engineering

Technology

• Matt Agar – for services to digital infrastructure and broadband
• Shah Ruhul Amin – for services to fintech and artificial intelligence
• Karen Blake – for services to Technology and to Diversity
• Jordyn Bond – for services to Defence
• Matthew Brittin – for services to Technology and to Enhancing Digital Skills
• Dr Thomas Goodman – for services to Technology in the West Midlands
• Pamela Maynard – for services to business and technology, particularly AI transformation
• Daljit Singh Rehal – for services to Technology and to Public Service

Innovation

• Dr Toby Shevlane – for services to AI Innovation

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About the IET

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Media enquiries to:

Sarah Jenkins
External Communications Manager
Email: SarahJenkins@theiet.org