University of Huddersfield Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan CBE has become the 141st President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

With over 150,000 members from over 100 countries, the IET is the largest professional engineering institution in Europe.

It was founded in 1871 and took residence in its current location, Savoy Place, next to the London Savoy Hotel, in 1909.

The institution was instrumental in establishing the BBC and accommodated the BBC at Savoy Place in its early days between 1923 and 1932.

The IET covers a very wide range of disciplines including Biometrics; Blockchain; Communication Systems; Cyber Systems and Robotics; Energy Generation, Transmission & Distribution; Healthcare Technology; Manufacturing; Nanotechnology; Smart Cities, Software and Wireless.

Its members are involved in the most innovative and high-tech projects currently taking place across the globe, using their creativity to solve major world problems.

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With two first class honours degrees in Engineering and Mathematics, an MBA and two doctorates (PhD and DSC), Prof Cryan wants to encourage and inspire the next generation by demonstrating how engineers are transforming the world, as well as shine a spotlight on the importance of mentorship and developing engineers as inclusive leaders.

Prof Cryan said: “Engineers hold the keys to the future of humanity and the IET has some of the best engineers in the world.

“In my year as President, I’m asking our members to invest in the younger generation and guide their careers, accelerating us towards our goal of engineering excellence.”

He added: “For a lad from Deighton to go on to lead the largest engineering institution in Europe is a real honour and I am just so grateful for all of the support that I have received over the years.

“We sometimes under-estimate the role that engineers play in society but, if you look around you, if it hasn’t been made by Mother Nature then it has been made by an engineer.

“If you imagine a world without heating, electricity, transportation and wi-fi then that is what we would have if it wasn’t for engineers!”