Meet the team

Cat Sturman

Senior Code Manager

Cat joined EngineeringUK in April 2021. In her role as Senior Code Manager she focuses on the strategic development, management and successful delivery of The Tomorrow’s Engineers Code.

Before moving to EngineeringUK, Cat worked in the media and advertising industry as well as the higher education sector, leading on a range of student engagement initiatives including outreach and volunteering projects.

Nicholas Rowe

Projects Support Officer

As Projects Support Officer, Nick works across both The Code and Neon teams at EngineeringUK. For The Code, he manages the recruitment and onboarding process for new Signatories and works closely with Cat to design and deliver the online event programme for The Code and Neon communities.

Prior to joining EngineeringUK in May 2023, Nick worked within sales and account management in the fashion industry. A diagnosis of ADHD as an adult prompted him to change course for a career in the third sector.

Maddie Dinwoodie (Chair)

Director of Engagement Programmes, EngineeringUK

Maddie Dinwoodie is Director of Engagement Programmes at Engineering UK, and responsible for expanding the portfolio of programmes and growing the collective impact of the engineering and technology outreach sector to encourage more, and more diverse, young people into engineering and technology roles.

With more than 20 years’ experience, Maddie has led the design and delivery of programmes and strategic partners to drive social and environmental change, working in the charity sector and advising companies on their social purpose strategies, as well as advocating for the power of young people to lead positive change.

Prior to EngineeringUK, Maddie was Chief Programme Officer at UK Youth, leading the youth development programmes. She has also worked at Media Trust, where she set up the youth media department and at Trekforce Expeditions where she led the operations of youth development jungle expeditions.

Clare Hutchinson

Head of Skills & Partner Engagement, STEM Learning

Clare is a strategic leader with broad experience across the public, private and third sectors. With extensive experience developing strategy and overseeing delivery in not-for-profit organisations, her particular area of focus is in developing systems and structures which support the careers and skills agenda to ensure that the UK can build a thriving and relevant talent pool.

Starting her career in early talent development in professional services, Clare took an interest in social mobility and the power of business engagement in enhancing education outcomes which led her to develop and scale several education-business programmes, most notably the England wide Careers Hub network which is the mechanism through which careers education is delivered today in every school and college.

At STEM Learning, Clare leads the enrichment offer encompassing a wide range of impactful direct to student activity and the largest STEM volunteering network in the UK to ensure that young people receive inspiring and engaging STEM enrichment activities in and out of the curriculum.

Dave Blakesley

Dave is the Engineering Lead at the RNLI, based in Poole, England, where he plays a key role in making sure the charity’s lifesaving fleet is always at the cutting edge. With a background as a consultant Naval Architect, Dave brings together expertise in naval architecture, marine systems, and electrical engineering to support the design, integration, and performance of vessels that save lives at sea.

Dave heads up a talented engineering team focused on building innovative, resilient, and sustainable lifeboats and launch & recovery systems. He’s passionate about maritime technology and driven by the RNLI’s mission, always looking for ways to enhance safety, efficiency, and long-term environmental impact.

Dr Hilary Leevers

CEO, EngineeringUK

Hilary joined EngineeringUK as CEO in January 2019 and leads the organisation in its ambition to inform and inspire young people and grow the number and diversity of those coming into engineering. Before joining EngineeringUK she was Head of Education and Learning at Wellcome, building a team to improve science education through research, advocacy, funding and interventions.

She is a governor of a 5 to 16 comprehensive school.

James Mackay

Social Outreach Impact Manager, Thales UK

James is the Social Outreach Impact Manager at Thales UK, where he leads initiatives to inspire and support young people in STEM through innovative partnerships and educational programmes. With a background in education as a deputy headteacher and a specialist in Computing, James brings a wealth of experience in engaging young minds and delivering impactful learning experiences. Passionate about collaboration, he works with businesses, schools, and communities to create opportunities that equip the next generation with critical STEM skills. An advocate for diversity and inclusion, James champions accessible pathways to STEM careers, fostering talent for a brighter, sustainable future.

Jo Trigg

Director of Communications and Engagement, Royal Academy of Engineering

Jo oversees the Academy’s flagship campaign to encourage more young people to consider a career in engineering, This is Engineering, and the Ingenious public engagement with engineering grant scheme.

She has more than 10 years’ experience in communications and engagement, although, had she been inspired by effective STEM engagement, would probably have become an engineer.

Lydia Fairman

Head of Capability and Skills Development, Network Rail

Lydia Fairman (BEM FCIPD) is the Head of Capability and Skills Development for Network Rail and GBRTT, leading a team dedicated to long-term workforce planning in collaboration with railway industry partners.

Committed to cultivating future, emerging, and existing talent, Lydia is passionate about inspiring more young people into engineering, science, and technology careers. She is especially focussed on improving diversity within the rail sector, particularly the number of women in engineering roles.

Lydia also serves on the Routes into Rail board, contributing to collective industry leadership to raise the profile of rail, bringing in new people, skills, and opportunities for all.

Meghna Nag Chowdhuri

Research Fellow in Education, Practice and Society at IOE - UCL's Faculty of Education and Society

Meghna Nag Chowdhuri is a Research Fellow in Education, Practice and Society at IOE – UCL's Faculty of Education and Society. She completed her PhD in Mathematics Education from the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge in 2020 which explored how primary school teachers in Delhi, interpret and use justice-oriented mathematics textbooks.

Her previous postdoctoral research project 'Primary Science Capital Project' explored ways of incorporating a social justice teaching approach into primary science teaching  in the UK. Her current research is an international collaboration between seven Makerspaces across five countries, and explores how makerspaces can develop equitable youth practices, to support diverse young people to engage meaningfully with STEM. Her research interests focus is STEM education with a particular focus on social justice and equity. 

Oli Hallam

Business Partnerships Manager & STEM Lead, The Careers and Enterprise Company

Oli started his career as a secondary Science Teacher on the Teach First leadership development programme. Since then, he’s been involved in the foundation of a Free School in East London and the charity Education and Employers which runs the Inspiring the Future Campaign. Oli now works for The Careers and Enterprise Company supporting employers and sectoral or representative bodies.

Joining the CEC soon after its formation, Oli has seen the development of the Gatsby Benchmarks as a national framework. In his current role, he leads STEM engagement for the company and supports sectors to use the Employer Standards – a quality framework designed to support employers with quality engagement with education.

Rebecca Bound

Senior Early Careers STEM Outreach Officer, Renishaw

Rebecca leads a passionate team at Renishaw organising STEM events and work experience weeks that ignite curiosity and shape students' career choices.

Inclusivity and diversity are central to her work. In fostering an inclusive environment and providing opportunities for all young people to explore and discover their potential, Rebecca and her team are helping build a dynamic and diverse future STEM talent pipeline. Seeing the spark of curiosity and excitement in young minds is incredibly rewarding and fuels her enthusiasm for this work.

Rebecca also chairs the GCC Cornerstone Employer group, collaborating with employers and the local Careers Hub to inspire and equip young people across Gloucestershire for the future world of work.

Rebecca is thrilled to be a member of the Thinking Group. The role aligns perfectly with her passion for STEM outreach and commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity in engineering.

Shane McCracken

Director, Mangorolla CIC

Shane McCracken, Executive Director of Mangorolla CIC, has been running online school engagement programmes, such as I'm an Engineer, Get me out of here, since 2003.

The company's STEM outreach projects have run in countries around the world including Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kenya, Germany, Spain, UK, Ireland and the USA.

Thomas Wild

Stemovators, Prosper

Thomas is the Head of the Young Engineers and Science Clubs Programme in Scotland. He leads a team that works with around 300 schools across the country per year.

Thomas has more than 15 years experience in STEM public engagement. He has worked in all areas from fundraising and development, delivery and management across science centres, science festivals and industry programmes.