Graham Herries, IET Vice President and Chair of the Policy Oversight Committee, has been a driving force behind shaping education, skills, and innovation policy within the IET for over a decade. His volunteering journey began in 2013 with the Education Policy Panel and has since evolved into influential leadership roles, including Co-Chair of the Innovation and Skills Policy Panel and Chair of the Digital Futures Policy Centre. Today, as IET Vice President and Chair of the Policy Oversight Committee, Graham continues to champion initiatives that bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring graduates are better prepared for the world of work.
What first sparked your interest in volunteering?
It all began with frustration! I kept hearing employers say that fresh graduates weren’t “work ready,” and I saw how challenging that transition from university to the workplace could be. It’s especially tough for SMEs that can’t afford lengthy graduate schemes to help graduates mature into their roles. That frustration led me to join the IET’s Education Policy Panel back in 2013.
From there, my volunteering journey really took off. I started as a panel member, then became Co-Chair alongside the fantastic Yvonne Baker. Yvonne taught me about chairing panel meetings amongst many other policy skills. Eventually, I stepped up as Chair, subsequently merging Education and Skills with Innovation, and co-chaired the Innovation and Skills Policy panel with IET Vice President at the time, Tim Dafforn. When the panels consolidated, I moved on to chair the Digital Futures Policy Centre, one of the two Policy Centres at the IET. And more recently having become a Vice President at the IET, I now chair the Policy Oversight Committee.
Along the way, what’s been your most memorable experience?
There have been so many, and that’s the value of volunteering. It’s full of rewarding moments. One highlight was attending the launch of the IET Skills Survey at the House of Lords. This was particularly memorable for me as it was my first time inside that historic seat of government, seeing a different perspective on our national heritage in person.
Another standout was chairing the launch of the Quantum Systems Engineering report in Parliament earlier this year, working with incredible partners like DSTL, Qinetiq, Thales, PA Consulting, and L3Harris.
But the most meaningful moment for me was closing the loop on why I started volunteering in the first place. Through the Education and Skills Policy Panel, we delivered work on new approaches to engineering higher education. Those changes have influenced how engineering degrees are taught across the UK, making students more work-ready, especially through team-based project learning. That’s a huge win. 
How has volunteering shaped your career?
It’s been transformative. Volunteering has boosted my confidence and taught me how to lead teams of people I am not managing. I make sure every voice is heard and meetings have real purpose. Volunteers’ time is precious and I don’t want them to waste that time attending non-valuable meetings.
I’ve also developed skills in coaching, mentoring, and public speaking (thanks to IET media training!). My passion for education and skills policy even led me to become a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at Birmingham City University. There, I focus on industrial practice and help students and staff improve employability outcomes. This has led to a bold overhaul of the engineering curriculum with the Reimagining Engineering project, through to course approval and launch in 2026.
For those just starting out in engineering, what advice would you give?
First, believe in yourself. Learn as much as you can and show what you’ve learned by applying it. Promotions often come from demonstrating results and being willing to roll up your sleeves when needed.
Don’t be afraid to explore new sectors or technical areas outside your comfort zone and bring your skills and enthusiasm with you. Seek mentors, and as you grow, become one yourself.
And absolutely, volunteer! It’s incredibly rewarding. Choose something you’re passionate about because that passion will shine through in every interaction.
When you’re not volunteering, what do you love to do?
When I’m not working or volunteering, I’m usually learning, reading LinkedIn and EngX, technical articles, or watching presentations. That said, I also enjoy switching off with TV that doesn’t challenge the mind! And I have a real fascination with astronomy and space, not as an expert, just as an admirer of the incredible work others do in that field.
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