b'6 Member News July 2023Member updatesShaping our future and defining our legacyEd Almond FIET has been leading as IET Chief Executive and Secretary on a permanent basis since the end of 2022 and has hit the ground runningas the Institution continues to evolve and deliver its purposeto engineer a better world. Member News sat down with Ed to discuss his background and what led him to the IET, why he is so passionate about the organisation and its aims, and reflections on his first six months in post. So, Ed thank you for sitting downevents, such as the recent Registrationmanagement (CRM) system which will with us. To kick off, why dont youVolunteers Conference and Partnershipenable us to better serve our members tell us a bit more about yourselfEvent, is the incredible enthusiasm of ourand customers. This development will and your career to date?members and volunteers to support themake it easier to access our products IET. Ive seen a real passion and interestand services, with an improved My interest in STEM started many years agowith many in the sector looking for moreexperience. This is something we are with the moon landings and my backgroundopportunities to be more involved with us.striving to continually improve. is actually in biotechnology. I started my career as a researcher, working alongsideNow we are at the halfwayWhat is the IET focusing chemical engineers in the USA to study deeppoint of 2023, what have beenon at the moment? sea bacteria. I then had a career changesome of the key achievements and moved into working in finance, mostlyof the IET so far in the year? We are looking to make our IET 2030 within the construction sector. My life-longstrategy as accessible as possible, so interest in STEM inspired my move to the IET,Everyone in the engineering communitycolleagues and volunteers across the IET feel where I spent 10 years as Director of Financehas been eager to get back to face tosupported and connected to how they can and Planning prior to my current role asface contact and we have seen greathave the greatest impact. We also recognise Chief Executive and Secretary (CES). So, Iveattendance at our events and venues. Also,that a key priority for increasing our impact worked at the IET for a while, and the reasonthe Engineering Kids Futures report was ais growth of our membership, as members for that is that I really believe in what we do. big highlight as were able to deliver a clearare at the heart of all of this activity. direction for what Government, industry Speaking of which, you haveand academia need to do to increaseDo you have a message for our recently passed 100 days as theengagement with STEM education andMembership across the globe? permanent IET CES, how have youtransition that into STEM careers. Weve found it and what do you enjoy thealso just seen our first Enterprise PartnerThere has never been a more important most about the role?achieve accreditation which is great. time to be an engineer. Our role, as the leading multi-disciplinary professional One of my highlights to date has actuallyLooking ahead to the rest of 2023,body, must be to support everyones been taking my finance hat off. Its allowedis there anything in particulareducational and professional journey, me to really speak and engage fullyyou are looking forward to?enhance knowledge across borders and with our incredible network of members,drive change. This will ensure we are all volunteers and partners. One thing that hasIm looking forward to us completing ourworking together towards our ultimate really become apparent from attendingtransition to a new customer relationshipgoal - engineering a better world.'