IET Members honoured for inspiring leadership and service
Each year, the New Year Honours list acknowledges the achievements of remarkable individuals across the UK who have made outstanding contributions to society.
We are delighted to celebrate several exceptional IET Members and Fellows recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours, highlighting their leadership, service, and commitment to engineering, technology, and society.
These honours reflect the breadth of expertise and dedication across our community, from driving industry innovation to championing young people and strengthening the civic and charitable sectors.
Among this year’s recipients, we are proud to spotlight the achievements of two outstanding members: Julie Feest OBE, honoured for her exceptional national contribution to inspiring young people into STEM careers, and Dhruv Patel CBE, recognised for his extensive charitable and civic leadership.
Julie Feest OBE, CEO of the Engineering Development Trust (EDT) and Industrial Cadets, has helped shape one of the UK’s most influential STEM outreach organisations.
For more than two decades, Julie has dedicated her career to opening doors for young people, ensuring they have access to inspiring, hands‑on STEM experiences that help them see a place for themselves in industry.
Under her leadership, Industrial Cadets recently reached an impressive milestone: 400,000 young people have now taken part in its programmes, with an ambitious goal of 1 million by 2035. But for Julie, the numbers are simply a reflection of something deeper. This is a long‑held commitment to making sure opportunity is available to everyone, not just those who already know how to find it.
Julie Feest OBE.
A passion sparked early
Julie’s interest in STEM began in the classroom, thanks to a maths teacher who took the time to nurture her confidence and encourage her growing curiosity. That early support became a turning point. She went on to study Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Surrey, becoming the first in her family to earn a university degree, an achievement that shaped how she views the power of education and mentorship today.
Her early career in the tech industry was successful, but she felt increasingly pulled towards work that could make a tangible difference to young people. Over time, that realisation evolved into a clear mission: using her experience to help the next generation build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
Creating opportunities
Much of Julie’s work focuses on helping young people understand the opportunities available in fast‑growing sectors, including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, construction, digital and AI.
Through Industrial Cadets, she has helped develop programmes that give young people real insight into what engineering and technology careers look like today, placing particular emphasis on confidence‑building, workplace awareness and practical skills.
Championing inclusion and representation
Julie’s commitment to broadening access has gained national recognition. In 2025, she received the WISE Outreach & Engagement Award, honouring her work to inspire more girls and women into STEM, an area where she has been a leading voice for many years.
Reflecting on the recognition, 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.”
Dhruv Patel CBE.
We also celebrate IET Member Dhruv Patel after his appointment to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Civic Leadership and to Charity.
This recognition speaks not only to his leadership across Greater London, but to years of quiet, consistent commitment to communities, young people and the causes he believes in.
Rather than viewing this honour as a personal achievement, Dhruv is quick to frame it as a shared one:
“I am deeply humbled by this honour and accept it with a profound sense of duty to King and Country. This recognition is not mine alone. I accept it only on behalf of everyone who has been touched by the great institutions, communities, and causes that I have had the privilege to serve and contribute to over many years.”
Dhruv’s career highlights
IET members might know Dhruv through his longstanding involvement in building engineering‑related enterprise and the wider London business community. He helped expand his family’s business from its pharmacy roots into a property development company delivering more than 60 new homes across Greater London. This work connects directly with the social issues he continues to champion today.
He also plays an active role within the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, where he supports innovation and emerging talent, particularly within new and start‑up syndicates.
A helping hand in the charity sector
Dhruv’s most significant impact has been in philanthropy and civic leadership. As Chairman of City Bridge Trust during the COVID‑19 pandemic, he helped steer one of the UK’s largest independent charitable funders through a time of immense need.
Dhruv continues to influence national social investment through his role with The Clothworkers’ Foundation, where he champions innovative organisations tackling disadvantage and building resilience in communities across the UK.
Commitment to young people
One of the strongest threads running through Dhruv’s work is his dedication to improving opportunities for young people, a value shared widely across our members.
His contributions include supporting better outcomes for children in care through the City of London Corporation, helping the City of London Academies Trust expand its provision across four boroughs, and working with Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre to ensure disadvantaged students can progress to life‑changing destinations.
Honouring excellence across the IET community
The achievements of Julie Feest OBE and Dhruv Patel CBE highlight the profound contributions that IET Members and Fellows continue to make across society. We are immensely proud of each, and every member recognised in this year’s Honours list.
Read more about the New Years Honours list recipients in our press releases.