Executive Team

Yvonne Baker

Chief Executive Officer

A Chartered Chemical Engineer, Yvonne joined IChemE as Chief Executive Officer in April 2023 following a career in engineering within the manufacturing sector before leading a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) organisation.

Jo Downham

Chief Operating Officer

Jo joined IChemE as a Trainee Management Accountant in 1998 having graduated in European Finance and Accounting from Leeds Metropolitan University and the Hochschule Bremen in Germany. Jo was appointed Director, Finance and Business Support in 2009 moving to become Chief Operating Officer in 2023.

Rachel Baxter-Smith

Director of Qualifications

Rachel joined IChemE in 2015 and has since held several positions within the organisation, as Head of Membership and later in transformation leadership roles.

Rachel Bibby

Director of Membership and Professional Learning

Rachel joined IChemE in November 2023 and brings a proven track record in strategic leadership of membership organisations, professional learning programmes, not-for-profits and charitable trusts.

Claudia Flavell-While

Director, Learned Society

A journalist by background, Claudia joined IChemE in 2001 as Senior Reporter on IChemE's monthly magazine, The Chemical Engineer.

Andrew Foster

Director, Strategic Partnerships and Impact

Andrew joined IChemE in September 2021 as Regions Director after a 30 year career in the upstream oil and gas industry developing and leading capital projects in the UK and internationally. He was appointed Director, Strategic Partnerships and Impact in June 2023.