Tony Roche has assumed office as president of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) (www.imeche.org).

Speaking about his appointment, Mr Roche said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been elected to take up the role of president for the second time in my life.

“My second term in office will be about refocusing the Institution on what makes it great – its members.

“The IMechE is first and foremost a membership organisation, and our Royal Charter is clear that our object and purpose is to ‘promote the development of mechanical engineering and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas thereon’.

"It is crucial that we remember this and it becomes our relentless focus, as we deliver activity now and as we make
plans for the future.

“Clearly, the last few months have been challenging for the ImechE, with some of our members expressing concern over the governance and operation of the Institution.

"I believe the Institution must now unite and work together towards a resolution, and it is crucial that we get the governance and finance reviews requested by the membership urgently underway.

"However, it is also important that, while we carry out these reviews, we also continue to look to the future and how best to continue delivering our vision of ‘improving the world through engineering’.”

Mr Roche is an experienced manager and engineer, with a long and distinguished career in the rail sector.

He started in the workshops at the age of 16 and completed a seven-year engineering apprenticeship incorporating design, construction and maintenance of railway rolling stock; at the same time, he graduated with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering.

He previously held the role of president of ImechE in 2001.