Introduction from IChemE President David Bogle
It has been a great honour to lead IChemE during the second half of our centenary year. The centenary gave us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our great profession and the many achievements of chemical engineers over the last 100 years.
From the inaugural meeting of the Institution in 1922 to today’s vibrant membership body, it is wonderful to reflect on the fact that IChemE has been advancing chemical engineering’s contribution for 100 years. And we intend to continue doing so for the next 100 years.
From the inaugural meeting of the Institution in 1922 to today’s vibrant membership body, it is wonderful to reflect on the fact that IChemE has been advancing chemical engineering’s contribution for 100 years
We commemorated this remarkable milestone by highlighting the impact of chemical engineering over the last century and showcasing the ideas and solutions for a progressive future through monthly webinars, events and thought-provoking articles hosted on a dedicated website. I would like to extend my gratitude to all our members for helping to make our centenary year a success.
As I read through this year’s Annual Review, I am incredibly proud of IChemE’s achievements during the year, with outstanding work being delivered by all aspects of the Institution. From welcoming a raft of new members and Fellows to the influential outputs from the Learned Society, from the new initiatives led by the Member Engagement Committee to the delivery of invigorating networking events, what a year it has been.
As well as the centenary, some of my highlights from 2022 include the launch of the Sustainability Hub and the Serving Society film produced in partnership with ITN Business. The Sustainability Hub was developed to support chemical engineers in making a positive contribution to the world’s sustainability challenges, and Serving Society gave us the opportunity to demonstrate how the profession is addressing some of the biggest challenges in our society today. If you haven’t already, please take a look at both of these resources and share with your peers, colleagues and future engineers.
With many of the travel restrictions from the pandemic being lifted, I was grateful for the opportunity to meet members and partners across the world face to face during the year. At my Presidential Address in June, I was delighted to be joined by my family, members, colleagues and peers to talk about Chemical Engineering: An Ethical Profession. Ethics is a topic that is close to my heart, and I have welcomed the opportunity to talk about the importance of chemical engineering being an ethical profession at various meetings and events during the year.
In September we were saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. The Institution has been privileged to receive the support of Her Majesty, having been granted a Royal Charter in 1957, shortly after which time Her Majesty’s late husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, became IChemE’s first Royal Patron.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank Jon Prichard, IChemE Chief Executive, who stepped down in September to take up a new appointment at another organisation. Jon provided outstanding leadership to the Institution since 2017 and oversaw significant progress towards the aims of Strategy2024 and the transformation of IChemE’s operations to provide a streamlined and more contemporary member experience. Jon leaves the Institution in a strong and stable position, and I thank him for his service. I now look forward to working with Jon’s successor, Yvonne Baker, who took up the post as CEO in April 2023.
Observing the UN International Volunteer Day in December, we recognised the contribution of our member volunteers. On behalf of the Board of Trustees I would like to thank all our volunteers across the world. Sharing your knowledge and skills to advance chemical engineering across the globe is hugely significant, and your efforts are very much appreciated.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees I would like to thank all our volunteers across the world. Sharing your knowledge and skills to advance chemical engineering across the globe is hugely significant, and your efforts are very much appreciated
IChemE exists to represent and support our profession, and through our commitment to safety, sustainability, diversity and ethics, we can work together to raise the profile of chemical engineering and the vital role that it has to play in addressing the global grand challenges. As we look forward to developing a new strategy that will take us to 2028, these areas will come to the forefront and I look forward to working with you all to make a difference.
As I approach the end of my presidency, I would like to thank IChemE members for your support throughout my term in office. It has been an invigorating, inspiring and rewarding year, and I wish my successor all the best in his role leading the Institution into, what I am confident will be, a successful future.
David Bogle CEng FREng FIChemE
President 2022-2023