Making a Difference, One Role at a Time
Will Drury is the chief executive officer at PNDC, part of the University of Strathclyde, an engineering leader focused on electrification, decarbonisation and the journey to net zero in the UK. A long standing IET volunteer, he has served on Council, supports professional registration and mentors engineers, always with an eye to making a tangible difference.
Rooted in Family, Inspired by Purpose
Volunteering with the IET may be part of Will Drury’s family story, his father dedicated many years to the Institution, from leading the Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) community and helping to run the PEMD Conference and undertaking accreditation visits in the UK and overseas. That example nudged Will toward service, but what sustains him is different. It is the shared experiences and the simple enjoyment of working together that keep him saying yes.
“I like people. I like talking to people. I like being with people,” he says. “A lot of what we do is very people centric, and that is what makes it enjoyable.”
Will Drury began volunteering with the IET in 2014 when he joined the Energy Sector Policy Committee, drawing on his background in PEMD. Since then, he has contributed across a wide range of areas, including serving as a Professional Review Interviewer, Registration Assessor, member of IET Council, and member of the Knowledge Solutions and Membership Board, as well as a Fellows Assessor. As part of his Council role, Will also sits on the Nominations and Succession Committee, where he supports succession planning to help the organisation prepare for the future.
Will developed a motivation to volunteer long before 2014. Growing up, he gained early exposure to the value of engineering. That environment nurtured a steady curiosity about how things work, why they work, and how they are built, and it reinforced that engineering is a shared endeavour sustained by people who offer time and knowledge. This foundation shaped his desire to contribute meaningfully to the profession and showed him that learning and service reinforce one another. By the time he entered the energy sector, volunteering was already a natural part of how he practised as an engineer, focused on strengthening the community that had supported his own development.
A Lifelong Scout and Community Leader
Community is not limited to the IET. When Will’s daughter wanted to join Beavers, the local section needed support to stay open. He put his hand up to help and was immediately invited to lead the section outright. The young people dubbed him “Hedgehog” due to his haircut or lack-of! During the pandemic he kept the colony going on Zoom, keeping six and seven year olds engaged for an hour each week. That experience led to further responsibility as Group Scout Leader and trustee from 2022.
“It is exhausting at times, but there is something wonderful about keeping that energy alive,” Will reflects. “When you see young people try something new and light up, it makes the late nights worth it.”
Expanding My Professional Network
Despite the demands of a busy professional and family life, Will makes space for volunteering because of the growth and connection it brings. He speaks openly that these roles have strengthened his leadership, communication and governance experience, and broadened his professional network.
“The leadership, soft skills, management skills, governance skills you learn volunteering are things you can learn ahead of the corporate world.”
What motivates Will most is the chance to work closely with others, helping them progress while continuing to learn himself. Hybrid working has enabled him to stay even more connected and engaged, reinforcing his sense of shared purpose. A two-day gathering of Council and the Trustee Board in Birmingham last June stands out.
“It was brilliant,” he says. “You spend time with talented professionals who want the same outcome. You have proper conversations. You challenge and encourage each other. You leave with energy to do more.” Not everyone loves two solid days in a room, he adds, but the camaraderie that develops when a group shares a purpose is hard to beat.
Mentoring sits at the heart of that growth. Will often reflects on the guidance he has received over the years and the responsibility he now feels to pass that support on. The technical challenges of electrification, decarbonisation, AI, interoperability and safety are real, and they can feel daunting for those new to the field. A single conversation at the right moment, or a helpful nudge toward someone who can assist, can make a real difference to a person’s confidence and progress.
Set Yourself Up for Success
For anyone preparing for a Professional Review Interview, Will emphasises that it’s nothing like a formal assessment. It works best as an open conversation between engineers who want to understand your work. He always comes away having learned something new.
He also stresses the importance of recognising your limits. Volunteering is hugely rewarding, but time is finite, and it’s completely acceptable to step back when needed. For those considering Fellows Assessor roles, the workload remains manageable, usually involving only a small number of applications at any one time.
Continuing the Journey
“I volunteer because it matters, but also because it is fun. You meet brilliant people. You get stuck into things that stretch you. If anyone needs anything, I am happy to help.”
Will doesn’t map out a long-term volunteering plan, instead, he follows opportunities where he feels he can add value. He holds a simple rule. If you do not enjoy it, do not do it. Because he does enjoy it, he keeps saying yes. The enjoyment is grounded in small moments as much as big ones. A productive workshop. A good decision reached together. A mentee who grows in confidence. A scouting session that crackles with energy. These are the moments that add up to a fulfilling year.
Will plays an important role in the Registration and Fellowship processes through his work as an Interviewer and Assessor. He brings professionalism and sound judgement to these responsibilities and helps uphold the integrity of the IET’s standards. His ongoing commitment continues to benefit our professional registration and Fellowship work. Thank you, Will, for the time and energy you give to the IET.
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