Today we shine the spotlight on Anne Morris. We recently interviewed Anne to learn about her experiences on volunteering at the IET. Here’s what she had to say…
Anne submerges herself in volunteering
BAE Systems Submarines expert Anne Morris has worked in engineering for 25 years and has volunteered for the IET since 2012.
Anne joined BAE Systems in 1999 after graduating from the University of Leicester with a Master’s degree in Mathematics. The following year she embarked on a part-time, employer-sponsored MSc in Aircraft Engineering, which she completed in 2004. A Postgraduate Certificate in Management from Lancaster University followed in 2008, again sponsored by BAE Systems.
Her 25-year career at BAE Systems has spanned numerous roles in the design-and-build phase of complex fast-jet aircraft and submarine equipment for the UK defence sector. From 2019 Anne headed up the programme for the Seventh Boat of the Astute class nuclear-power attack submarines, then In November 2023 she became Head of Outcomes for SSNA, the Astute class replacement programme.
It’s a demanding role: Anne is responsible for driving the through-life delivery of the next-generation attack submarines for both the UK and Australia Royal Navy. She achieves this by applying an outcome-management approach that requires extensive collaboration at a very senior level: “I facilitate independent panels across all six through-life outcomes and lead subsequent cross-industrial partner transformation and improvements.”
Getting involved
Anne started volunteering for the IET in 2012, shortly after becoming chartered. “One of the committee members from the IET Lancashire & Cumbria Local Network approached the newly chartered local engineers to ask whether we'd like to help,” she said. “The volunteer activities sounded interesting, so I decided to give it a go.”
Her first role as an IET volunteer was as Programme Secretary of the Local Network. “I ran the newsletter and programme for the area, including co-ordinating the committee’s social media presence (mainly on LinkedIn),” she said. “This enabled me to hone many of the skills that are essential in my current work role, including communications, decision-making and programme management.
“I became Vice Chair in October 2015 and completed a two-year stint as Chair in 2019. What I enjoyed most about heading up the Local Network was bringing together such a vast remit of lecture. Sourcing guest speakers was a big challenge, but it was definitely worth it because the lectures sparked significant interest among local engineers in topics ranging from trains and aircraft to nuclear energy. I’m very proud of how we kept the programme alive and attracted such large audiences – the biggest was circa300 attendees for an astronomy lecture in Barrow.”
Collaborative approach
Anne has been the Treasurer of her Local Network since 2019. Part of the role involves supporting bursaries and STEM.
She volunteers as a trustee of the Barrow & District Association of Engineers (BDAE) too. Anne feels that this complements her IET Treasurer role well because both organisations share similar objectives: “Working in parallel with BDAE enables us to introduce the IET to local people – including many who are not engineers – through what is a very familiar local brand.”
As Treasurer Anne also makes sure the Local Network has the funds in place to deliver an interesting set of events for engineers across Lancashire and Cumbria, including a wide range of lectures. To facilitate these events, the committee works in partnership with many organisations, both locally (like BDAE, Professional Engineers of South Cumbria, and Kendal & District Engineering Society) and at a national level (examples include MAREST, IMechE, ICE, CQI, IHEEM, IChemE RINA and APM).
STEM stands out
Discussions with other engineers at an early stage in her career helped Anne to realise that careers are not linear.
“To fully appreciate and meet the challenges of complex product delivery, an engineer needs breadth and depth of knowledge and experience,” she said. “Taking a leap – in my case from Air to Submarines – and stretching yourself can be very rewarding and can help you realise that you know more than you think!”
These insights have fuelled Anne’s long-standing passion for introducing young people to the vast and exciting world of possibilities offered by a career in STEM.
“I must say my favourite volunteer activity is helping out at STEM events,” she said. “They are a fantastic way to inspire the next generation of engineers – or at least to make sure young people don’t inadvertently deselect engineering too early.
“My most recent involvement was in November 2024 supporting UlverSTEM, a collaborative event run at Ulverston by the Local Network and BDAE. Together we used the IET Lego kit and encouraged children big and small (adults especially!) to build something from the future.
“All the way through, volunteers from both organisations talked enthusiastically about the amazing breadth of roles and tasks that a career in engineering can involve.”
Volunteer aspirations
Anne is very aware of the importance of connecting with and learning from other engineers.
“I work for a large business, which has given me great career variety and development,” she said. “Being involved in the IET gives me a different engineering perspective from much smaller companies. It also helps me to stay abreast of interesting developments in parallel industries and enables me to expand my network.
“My aim is to get more involved with the central IET as well as continuing to play an active role in my Local Network.”
When asked what advice she could offer to engineers keen to develop their skills and professional career, Anne said: “Firstly, there is no such thing as a stupid question – usually when someone asks, you’ll see others in the room nodding and learning!
“Secondly, if you’re working with a product, go and see it in person, because it’s vital to understand the reality, even if you’re working in supporting areas of the programme. I learned this lesson early on, when I was a ‘paper-based’ engineer: I had spatial awareness of the product, but not of the in-service operating environment, so I ended up designing elements that simply wouldn’t work.”
A final recommendation from Anne: “Get involved in IET volunteering – you’ll really enjoy it!”
Share your thoughts...
Have you ever participated in a STEM event? If so, how was your experience and how did it influence your perspective on engineering? Let us know in the comments below!
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