Jeffrey Utley MBE GCGI IEng FIET one of the West Yorkshire Network volunteers has recently been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to engineering in Yorkshire.


To mark the occasion we thought it might be a good idea to do a blog for the Network’s My Community page and try and find out what makes Jeff tick and what engineering means to him and what advice he’d give to young people coming into engineering.

 
Tell us a little bit about yourself and background

I am a Yorkshireman born and bred. I was born into a South Yorkshire mining community, son of a colliery blacksmith (engineering was obviously in the blood), but moved to West Yorkshire when about nine years old.

 
Who or what inspired you to become an engineer/technologist?

I progressed to The Salt Grammar School in Saltaire and, wanting to become a draughtsman or designer, completed a six year engineering course at Shipley and Keighley Technical Colleges. It was during these years that I became interested and eventually involved with professional engineering institutions – hoping that I would gain knowledge, experience and help with my chosen profession.

 
What encouraged you to become involved with your Local Network?

After attending several Institution meetings, I went along to a Presidential meeting in Sheffield. Arriving early, I got chatting to another member who (although unknown to me) I found friendly and easy to communicate with – it was only at the beginning of the meeting that I discovered that I had been chatting to none other but the President. If that was how easy it was for a young engineer to get along with senior engineers then my mind was then set to join in with the organisation of the Institution.

 

In late 1969 members in the Leeds area were invited to form a local Leeds Branch and volunteers were requested and so, in January 1970 I became a founder member along with eleven others of the newly formed Leeds Branch (later to become West Yorkshire Section).

 
What does your role on the committee entail?

Over the past 45 years I have served on many Committees here in Yorkshire and at our headquarters in London. I have had many roles, such as secretary, treasurer, minute secretary, vice Chairman and Chairman. Eventually after many  years I decided to stand back from the major roles and let younger members take the lead, but offer my experience if required. I currently review Student Prize Awards.


The most important requirements for all of these roles are – enthusiasm, attendance at meetings and being able to speak-up and get involved in discussion of ideas. The meetings bring together members of varying backgrounds and give them the common aim of achieving something worthwhile for engineering and their fellow members via the work of their Committees. A good working friendship and useful set of contacts is readily nurtured, often with long lasting friendships.

 
If you could give advice to a young person who is just starting on their career in engineering & technology what would it be? 

Young engineers need help to gain knowledge and experience, often outside their working role – this is essential to broaden the mind of an engineer and help understand other areas of the engineering world. Being involved with other younger engineers as well as experienced engineers will enhance a career – being practically involved with a professional engineering institution will do this.

 
How does it feel to have been supported for the MBE by your Institution colleagues?

Although I did not see the nomination for my award of an MBE, I feel quite humbled by the knowledge that certain colleagues and friends felt so strongly that my previous work for engineering via the Institution should be acknowledged by such an award – I am obviously delighted and proud, especially of the citation “for services to engineering in Yorkshire”.


Call for Volunteers

The West Yorkshire are looking for new volunteers, so if this article has inspired you to want to get more involved with your local community then please message the Network Chairman, Dr Crinela Pislaru for more information.