Engineering business leader to take over as President of the IET

An inspiring engineer and leader with a career that spans 40 years, Warren began in the semiconductor industry at Texas Instruments, then at UK chip designer ARM where he was CEO from 2001 to 2013. He has served on the boards of engineering and technology companies including BT, Dyson, and Micron, and was appointed CEO at Rolls-Royce plc in April 2015 – with a mission to modernise, grow capacity, enhance operational gearing, and determine future direction for a net zero world. During his time at Rolls-Royce, the company broke the world speed record for Electric flight and demonstrated Hydrogen combustion in an aero engine. He left Rolls-Royce at the end of 2022.

Now driven by his passion for sustainability, he’s championing net zero by empowering smaller businesses to develop cutting-edge technologies. This year he was appointed Chair of carbon capture developer firm C-Capture, as well as Chair of the UK’s National Air Traffic Service (NATS).

On becoming IET President, Warren said: “It’s a great privilege to play such a role in such an organisation, I hope I can live up to that and make a positive impact. With a rich 150-year history, I want to ensure that the IET can the serve the engineering community going forward, and therefore help engineering serve society for another 150 years and beyond.

“Today and into the immediate future is a very special time to be an Engineer – we face significant challenges in society, particularly the energy transition. This will be a once in couple of hundred years event that humanity is facing, and we must make it happen in the next couple of decades. Engineers will play a pivotal role in this so their work now, and over the next few years will be vital in making a difference.”

In his presidential year, Warren will work closely with the IET to shape the organisation’s directives and strategise the advancement of engineering and technology in society. He will represent the IET at various events and conferences, advocating for its interests in society.

He will take office from 1st October 2024, taking over from Artificial Intelligence expert Dr Gopichand Katragadda. Past IET Presidents to lead the global engineering institution include a range of prominent leaders in the industry, such as Sir Robin Saxby, ex-CEO and Chair of ARM Holdings, and Naomi Climer CBE, former Vice-President of Sony Professional Solutions Europe and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Institute of Work.

Ed Almond, Chief Executive and Secretary at the IET, added: “We’re delighted to have Warren in office for the next year to help grow the influence and impact of the IET. He has an impressive career at such a high level in the industry, with firsthand knowledge of leading engineering organisations and a real passion for the sector. I am certain he will help steer the IET towards our vision of engineering a better world.”

With the world facing its most volatile challenges yet, engineering can provide stability and offer innovative solutions – however, misdirected funding, outdated infrastructure and critical skills shortages are creating roadblocks. In his inaugural President’s Address, ‘Time to re-engineer?’ Warren will share his three-step plan to re-engineer our future, considering aligning engineering with economics, enhancing communication, and strengthening the engineering eco-system. He’ll also discuss how the IET, its members, and the wider engineering community can lead the charge in creating a united voice to act.

It will take place on Thursday 17th October 2024 at IET London: Savoy Place and will broadcast live via the IET’s YouTube channel.