Professor Isobel Pollock has become the 127th president of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers – the second female president in the IMechE’s 165-year history.

Professor Pollock (above) has held senior engineering management posts in the chemicals, metal-handling, glassware, food and drinks, and pharmaceuticals sectors, at companies including ICI, DuPont, Robert McBride and Beatson Clark.

She is currently a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor in Engineering and Design at the University of Leeds School of Engineering. She is also Chairman of the Electromagnetics & Time Working Group for the National Measurement Office on the research programme for fundamental measurements.

Professor Pollock says that during her year as president, she wants the public at large “to realise the vital role engineers play in keeping society moving and driving change for the better.

“I will be a passionate advocate for engineering and manufacturing, and the role it can play in revitalising our economy,” she adds. “Furthermore, I want to encourage more young people to pursue engineering careers.”

The IMechE, founded by George Stephenson in 1847, represents more than 100,000 mechanical engineers. The Institution’s previous female president was Pam Liversidge, who held office during 1997.