President strengthens links in the Merseyside and North Wales Region

Mark Hunt’s recent Presidential visit to the region has further developed ties between local industry and the Institution.

Institution President, Group Captain Mark Hunt’s regional visits have been helping the Institution further develop bonds with local engineering organisations and support members. 

During his visit to the Merseyside and North Wales Region, Mark met representatives and members on a tour that included Liverpool2, Cammell Laird, the Marine and Engineering College North West and the University of Chester’s Thornton Science Park.

He also gave a pre-dinner speech and enjoyed meeting members and their guests at the region’s Annual Dinner.

Mark’s visit was hosted by Merseyside and North Wales Region committee Chairman, Ron Faulkner CEng MIMechE, and Secretariat, Nikki Barker CEng MIMechE. They were accompanied by Business Development Manager, David Barrett.

Mark’s first visit was to Liverpool2, the remarkable dockyard development by Peel Ports. At the port they were met by Bradley Crumbleholme, Senior Manager Engineering Operations at Peel Ports, along with Damian Cross, Liverpool 2 Engineering Manager and Dave McEwan, Engineering Manager Bulk/Bulk Break.



Ron said that the President’s visit had helped the regional committee strengthen and extend their networking with local companies and universities. 

“This type of visit significantly assists us when we engage with senior executives of local companies and universities, consolidating the IMechE as their preferred professional registration institution, be they Engineering Technicians, Incorporated or Chartered engineers.”

Nikki explained that the region’s ongoing work to build links between industry and the Institution – through events, mentoring and face-to-face visits such as this – had been boosted by Mark’s engagement.

She said: “Working towards extending the IMechE ‘family’ in our region is our continual goal, and it was evident – both during the day and at our Annual Dinner – that we were making real inroads to introducing more experienced professionals, upcoming engineers and students to the benefits of joining, and working alongside, the Institution.”

Travelling to the Wirral area, the party’s next destination was Cammell Laird, where they were met by John Eldridge FIMechE, Principal Engineer (Nuclear). John had invited representatives from University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University Formula Student teams, as well as graduate engineers from within Cammell Laird, to join the group. 

David Barrett commented: “The fascinating day of visits to such a range of industry and training organisations is indicative of the thriving development of the North West.”

The party also visited the Marine and Engineering College North West, and the University of Chester’s Thornton Science Park. Professor Jonathan Lawrence CEng FIMechE, Dr David Waugh MIMechE and Garfield Southall, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, gave them a tour of the new Engineering Faculty’s teaching and research facilities. They discussed how the University of Chester and the Institution can promote mechanical engineering together in the region. The University is working to gain accreditation with the Institution.

Later, guests at the Merseyside and North Wales Region Annual Dinner enjoyed Mark’s pre-dinner speech and the after-dinner anecdotes of guest speaker Geoff Miller OBE, the former England cricketer, and England and Wales Cricket Board selector. The event was sponsored by GHA Livigunn and Unilever and supported by ABB Consulting. 



Among the 200 industry and academic guests, there were tables booked by Cammell Laird and University of Chester, who were keen to consolidate the events of the day with an evening of networking and entertainment.

A 'Fun Casino' activity rounded off the evening. The event raised £1,500, half of which was donated to Support Network and £750 given to the charity MacMillan Nurses, which, thanks to ABB Consulting, was doubled. 

Mark Hunt thanked Nikki and Ron, and their colleagues for their hard work in organising and hosting the day and evening’s events, and for the tireless work they do in their region. He said: “It was a very informative and fun trip. We visited some vibrant places with engineers thirsty to create progress and change people’s lives – just like us.”