At its AGM on 17 September 2024 the Royal Academy of Engineering elected 71 leading figures in the field of engineering and technology to its Fellowship.
The group consists of 60 Fellows, six International Fellows and five Honorary Fellows, each of whom has made exceptional contributions to their own sector, pioneering new innovations, leading progress in business or academia, providing high level advice to government, or promoting wider understanding of engineering and technology.
This year’s new Fellows continue to reflect the Academy’s ongoing Fellowship Fit for the Future initiative announced in July 2020, to drive more nominations of outstanding engineers from underrepresented groups ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2026. This commits the Academy to strive for increased representation from women, disabled and LGBTQ+ engineers, those from minority ethnic backgrounds, non-traditional education pathways and emerging industries, and those who have achieved excellence at an earlier career stage than normal.
The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a special ceremony in London on 27 November, when each Fellow will sign the roll book. In joining the Fellowship, they will lend their unique capabilities to achieving the Academy’s overarching strategic goal to harness the power of engineering to create a sustainable society and an inclusive economy for all.
The AGM also confirmed the election of Dr John Lazar as the new President of the Academy for a five-year term.
Dr John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, says:
“Our new Fellows represent some of the most talented people in the world of engineering and are taken from the ranks of those who are aiming to address some of our most critical problems. We are proud to say that many of our newly elected Fellows have come from underrepresented groups in engineering and related sectors and we hope this helps to tackle some of the issues around a lack of diversity within the profession. There is ample evidence that a wider pool of ideas and experiences helps to improve decision-making and develop novel solutions to global challenges.”
Biography
Mark Thomas FREng has been Chief Executive Officer of Reaction Engines since 2015.
Known for its pioneering technology and unrivalled engineering achievements, Reaction Engines is enabling hypersonic flight, sustainable aviation, and cleaner energy through transformational cooling solutions developed, tested and proven by a team of skilled engineers and specialists.
Over the last 9 years, Mark has grown the Company from 50 to over 200 employees, secured significant investments from Strategic, Financial and Government Investors and expanded operations in the UK and US.
Throughout his tenure, Reaction Engines has won numerous business, aerospace and innovation awards and built successful relationships with global Aerospace & Defence Companies, Government Agencies and Innovators.
Before joining Reaction Engines, Mark graduated from Cambridge University with an Engineering degree and spent 22 years working in the Defence and Civil Aerospace businesses of Rolls-Royce plc. mostly as a Chief Engineer. During this time he led key programmes for Rolls-Royce, working closely with customers and industry partners worldwide to design, develop and support new military and commercial aero-engines.
Mark is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers.
We develop pioneering technology to elevate life on Earth. Innovating in pursuit of the world's net zero goals. We deliver thermal management solutions to create a better, more sustainable future.
