Carolyn Griffiths (CEng FIMechE FREng) from Burgess Hill, West Sussex, has become the 132nd President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (www.imeche.org).

Speaking after her appointment, she said: “I am honoured to have been elected president. I am hoping to work alongside other institutions to see if we can find a framework that will promote further collaboration in areas where we have common professional interests.

“After all, there are few engineering endeavours that engage only a single discipline of engineering.

“I also think it will be important to work in parallel with members and staff to find new ways of delivering value to engineers, employees, key decision makers and potentially also those that interface with engineering.

“I also want to examine what we can do to further equality and diversity in our profession.”

An experienced rail engineer, Ms Griffiths has worked in a variety of roles in the UK and overseas, since starting out on the shopfloor as a trainee.

Most recently, she was a senior vice-president of an international manufacturing organisation; she also founded and led the UK’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch, reporting directly to the Secretary of State for Transport. Ms Griffiths succeeds Jon Hilton, who became President in May 2016.