In his presidential address, Wakeham said the IChemE must evolve.
‘IChemE is a global organisation with members in 120 countries. But those members are working in a wider range of sectors than ever before and not all of them have what might be called a ‘traditional chemical engineering’ background,’ he said.
‘This trend is going to become increasingly frequent and it’s important that the services, support structure and governance of IChemE meets the needs of a diverse and wide-ranging membership base.’
Wakeham retired as vice-chancellor of Southampton University in 2009 following eight years in the post. He previously served at Imperial College London for more than 30 years. He was knighted in 2009 for services to chemical engineering and higher education.
IChemE chief executive David Brown said Wakeham has much to offer chemical engineering: ‘Sir William is a distinguished and immensely experienced academic who is respected around the world across a wide range of engineering and science disciplines,’ he said.
‘He will be able to maintain and enhance the strong influence and standing of IChemE and of the chemical engineering profession.’
Russell Scott has been confirmed as the IChemE’s deputy president. He is managing director of Uhde Asia Pacific and the Institution’s current international vice-president. He will succeed Sir William as president in May 2012.
In addition, William Harper has been elected to the IChemE council. Harper, who is also chair of the Institution’s Nuclear Technology Subject Group, succeeds Rachel Toner on Council who steps down along with 2009 president Ian Shott. Harper is a chemical engineer at the Sellafield nuclear plant in the UK.
