Programme Team
Engineers Make It Happen is delivered by EngineeringUK and its partners. The full range of EngineeringUK expertise is deployed on the Programme.
For media enquiries please contact Laura Marsh, Senior Communications Executive, tel: 020 3206 0444 or Gareth Lyon, Communications Executive, tel: 020 3206 0445.
The core management team are:
Dr Martin Thomas C.Eng, FIET, MIMMM
UK Programme Director
Martin joined the EngineeringUK to lead the development of Engineers Make It Happen from his previous role as Director of Educational Outreach at QinetiQ. Martin is responsible for co-ordinating the Programme development and implementation across the UK and for generating links to partners in England and Scotland. Martin is a materials engineer by training and spent 14 years in industry with a number of employers, starting in engineering research at GKN and ending in senior technical management roles at QinetiQ. Martin has a first degree in Metallurgy from Sheffield University and a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Cambridge. Martin has spent time working in Israel as the British Council Research Fellow at the Technion (Israeli Institute of Technology).
Tony Plews C.Eng, FIET, FCIWEM
Programme Manager – Wales
Tony joined the Programme team to use his understanding of engineering skills needs and local industry, and his ability to speak Welsh as a second language, to drive the Programme forward in Wales with a variety of partners. Tony began his engineering career in the Royal Navy, training as a weapons and electrical officer with periods of seagoing service in an aircraft carrier and an “O” class submarine. Tony gained a BSc Electrical Engineering and, after leaving the Royal Navy he had a varied industrial career on land and sea, being appointed Chief Engineer at British Waterways in 1992 and taking on the role of Head of Freight Development in 2002. After taking early retirement from British Waterways Tony continued to work as a part-time specialist engineering consultant and as a Professional Registration Advisor for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
Victor Jordan
Programme Manager – Northern Ireland
Victor retired in 2008 from Invest Northern Ireland where he was Director of Business Development Services. Upon retirement, Victor joined the Programme team to use his excellent knowledge of the industry, education and funding structures in Northern Ireland to ensure that the Programme meets the needs of all stakeholders. Victor began his career by taking up a Craft Apprenticeship at International Computers Limited, and achieved a Higher National Certificate in Electrical Engineering and then a BSc(Hons) in Micro Electronics. He then spent time at the Training & Employment Agency, rising to senior Director level, before joining the Department of Economic Development and finally, Invest Northern Ireland.