Engineering professor appointed OBE

Professor Isobel Pollock, visiting professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering, has been appointed an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to engineering

Professor Pollock is a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor in the School and has been the Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Industrial Advisory Committee for a number of years. She is also a former president of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE), only the second female President in the Institution’s 167 year history.

Speaking to the IMechE, Professor Pollock said “I am delighted and honoured to be granted an OBE for my services to mechanical engineering, a sector I feel so passionate about. Engineering lies at the heart of a successful and vibrant society, and I am committed to continue my work to encourage this vital sector.”

Professor David Barton, Head of the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds, said: “Isobel is an internationally recognised figure in mechanical engineering. Not only has she worked in senior positions with global companies including ICI, DuPont, Robert McBride and Beatson Clark, but she has also represented the profession in a number of key roles. This honour is richly deserved and we are delighted to have her with us at Leeds.

The University of Leeds has a history of academics and former students who have been IMechE presidents in recent years. Pictured in the photo below are three past Presidents: Duncan Dowson, currently a Research Professor in the School; Patrick Kniveton, who graduated from Mechanical Engineering 1975 and Chris Taylor, former Head of School and Pro-Vice Chancellor at Leeds before becoming the Vice Chancellor at Bradford.

Patrick recently visited the School on 29 April this year in his role as President.