Search on for successor as IET interim president takes over

Fine had led the IET since 2009, cementing its status as Europe’s largest professional engineering institution by growing worldwide membership to 155,000 people across 148 countries.

Interim chief Almond was previously director of finance and planning at the IET and has worked for the organisation for 21 years. 

IET president Sir Julian Young praised Fine’s contribution to the institution, describing him as a committed and effective advocate for engineering and its importance to society.

He continued: “With a significant shortfall of engineering skills in the UK, he has focussed his efforts on advancing the profession as a collaborative leader and at a personal level by raising awareness and encouraging young people to choose this rewarding and essential career. 

“The influence and engagement of the IET has grown over the last decade during his leadership, providing more engineers with support, knowledge and communities to develop and innovate.

He cited the outgoing CES’s commitment to inclusivity and for introducing successful new programmes to encouraging young people to pursue STEM subjects.

Fine responded by paying tribute to his colleagues in the organisation for their collaboration.

He stated: “I have been supported throughout the last 13 years by a very dedicated network of volunteers across the world and an incredibly professional and passionate international staff team. Together we have driven our mission to inspire, inform and influence the engineering and technology community, as well as wider society, for the benefit of advancing the world around us.

“I’m also incredibly proud to see the thousands of young people we have supported through our programmes and awards go on to have fulfilling engineering and technology careers. Collectively we’ve made a huge difference to how engineering is perceived, transforming it to be more inclusive, diverse and an accessible career choice for all.”