Institution news
Bespak Europe Ltd and Cambridge Consultants Ltd are currently linked by their work on the Chiesi NextHaler. This was designed at Cambridge Consultants and is manufactured at Bespak in Kings Lynn. Representatives of both companies accompanied the President throughout the day.
At Bespak, a leading developer and manufacturer of complex medical devices, Jon enjoyed a talk given by former apprentice Adam Dye BEng (Hons), now a Senior Development Engineer, explaining the profile of a key product and its development journey. Jon toured the manufacturing facilities and met members of the company’s engineering community over lunch.
Jon was delighted to present the certificate of Institution accreditation, in recognition of Bespak’s apprenticeship scheme, to Teresa Gibson, Qualifications Manager. Teresa said: “Bespak recognises that apprenticeship programmes are fundamental in supporting future growth, career opportunities for our colleagues, and opportunities for the local community. I am delighted that we have achieved accreditation for our engineering apprenticeships.”
Dr Keyvan Djamarani, Managing Director, said: “We are honoured and incredibly proud to have hosted Jon Hilton and his colleagues from the Institution at Bespak. Jon’s visit has, and will, profoundly impact and motivate our engineers. It also lends great impetus to our initiatives, particularly that of promoting women in engineering.”
Alan Paterson PhD BEng (Hons), who has been a member of the Institution for 30 years, said: “It was a delight to welcome the President to the Kings Lynn site. It gave us an opportunity to showcase our engineers’ capabilities. Accreditation from the Institution demonstrates the calibre of our apprenticeship programme, which is a foundation stone for the future of the organisation.’
Jon’s visit was arranged by Lara Mallett, the Institution's Business Development Manager Eastern Region. The party included Eur Ing Jim Stewart CEng FIMechE, Chair Eastern Region, who said: “It was a privilege to accompany the President on his visit and to experience the capability of two of the great organisations within our region. The enthusiasm and energy of the people we met and their commitment to supporting the profession and developing engineers for the future was inspirational.”
After lunch the visit continued at Cambridge Consultants Ltd, a leading supplier of innovative product development engineering and technology consulting. Eur Ing Peter Wotherspoon MSc CPhys MInstP CEng FIMechE, Chair South Essex Area, and Carlyne Parillon, Chair Cambridgeshire Area Committee, joined the afternoon visit. Peter is also Vice Chair of the Eastern Region.
The party was met by Richard Hall MIET, Head of Global Medical Technology, Nick Hawson, Head of Programme Management; and Dr Sylvain Jamais CEng FIMechE, Senior Consultant (Vice Chairman of the Biomedical Engineering Association and Immediate Past Chair Eastern Region). In addition to further insights into the inhaler technology, there was an opportunity to meet people taking part in the company’s well established Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS). Before departing, Jon presented Richard with a gift from the Institution.
Richard said: “We were honoured and delighted to have had the opportunity to host the President of the Institution, and demonstrate the excellent, innovative engineering that our staff is undertaking.”
The Eastern Region’s Annual Dinner was held at Jesus College Cambridge, where the guest speaker, Andy Sephton, former Chief Test Pilot at Rolls-Royce and Shuttleworth, gave an insightful talk on his life as a test pilot.
The President thanked Andy and was joined in a final toast, before guests were encouraged to consider contributions to Support Network and the evening drew to a close.