Press releases

New engineering President outlines community vision

7th Jul 2011

Garry Gilby became President of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) during the organisation's AGM in Westminster last week (7 July 2011). Succeeding Fleet Engineer Chris Grime, Garry proudly described his intention to lead SOE into a new dawn of community liaison, professional recognition and education, whilst improving member services.

During his Presidential Address, Londoner Gilby outlined his vision for the Society, which represents some 15,000 engineering professionals and organisations in the road transport, plant and engineer surveying industries and incorporates the Professional Sectors, IRTE, IPlantE and BES.

Gilby explained how he hopes to raise the Society’s profile by championing ‘engineering in the community’. He says: “I want to ensure all our work contributes to the community, and that we are able to demonstrate and promote the work of members, both nationally and internationally.

“I want everyone to know who the SOE are, and what we do. Maintaining our independence and the promotion of our members and engineering competence is the key to shared success.”

Gilby began his career in the transport industry in August 1979, as an apprentice with London Transport (buses). Following twelve years in the sector, Gilby made a move to the Underground, where he worked for over twenty years.

During his Underground career, Gilby was part of numerous changes, from station and rail developments, to Oyster card introduction and the challenges posed by accommodating London’s forthcoming 2012 Olympic Games.

Saluting his predecessor, Gilby thanked Chris Grime for his dedicated service, highlighting Grime’s ‘two remarkable years’ as President. Gilby also took the opportunity to outline SOE’s recent successes, including its new award-winning website and integrated membership database, continued success in registering members with the Engineering Council, the growth of technician licensing scheme irtec, the recent IRTE Skills Challenge and the development of SOE’s Industry and Academic Partner schemes.

Concluding his address, Gilby spoke of the importance of SOE members. He says: “We cannot help but be extremely proud of our members. By knowing our members, by working for them and celebrating them, SOE will build a reputation that is noticed by others, and one that others will want to be a part of.”

An SOE member for over ten years, Gilby has Gilby was active at IPlantE Branch level, as well as being on the Membership & Professional Standards Committee and a member of the IPlantE Professional Sector Council, which he Chaired for three years.

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EDITORS’ NOTES


For enquiries, please contact:
David Jones - 020 7630 1111 - david.jones@soe.org.uk
Hi-res image available upon request.

SOE logos are available from www.soe.org.uk/mediacentre/

SOE (Society of Operations Engineers)
SOE is a professional membership organisation that represents some 15,000 individuals and companies in the engineering industry. The SOE has three professional sectors – IRTE, IPlantE and BES (see below for more details).

The Society promotes safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable operations engineering to the benefit of the community at large, through the support of best practice and health and safety initiatives, a commitment to the professional development of its members and by influencing legislation and design.

SOE is a licensed member of the Engineering Council and can register members at all three levels, CEng, IEng and EngTech.

The SOE is online at www.soe.org.uk



IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers)

IRTE, one of the most respected names in UK transport, was founded in 1944 and is recognised as an impartial voice of the industry. It encourages high standards of excellence with an emphasis on safety in operation, demonstrated by its research and education programme for members and industry. The IRTE is also a partner in the CV Show, alongside the RHA and SMMT.

IRTE members come from a wide variety of transport-related roles including apprentices and technicians in the light and heavy and bus and coach sectors, workshop managers, fleet engineers, transport managers and company directors.



IPlantE (Institution of Plant Engineers)

The IPlantE was founded in 1946 and is the Professional Sector for engineers, technicians and those with an interest in the specification, installation, operation and maintenance of industrial plant and services.

IPlantE members represent a huge range of engineering-related activities including static and rotating plant, industrial installation, mobile plant, power generation and distribution, utilities, system design, construction, production and maintenance and repair.



BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors)

BES was established in 1965 as a specialist technical organisation for engineer surveyors to keep up-to-date with relevant technical information. Engineer surveyors independently assess plant and machinery for legal compliance and technical risk. BES activities are also of interest to building services engineers, technical health and safety professionals and those involved in engineering facilities.



irtec

Originally developed in 2000 by the IRTE, irtec (the ‘i’ should always be in lower case) is a renewable voluntary testing and assessment scheme, certifying the current theoretical and practical competence of technicians working in the commercial vehicle, trailer and passenger carrying industries.

In 2010, IRTE entered into an arrangement with the IMI to improve standards. Now the two organisations work together on developing and delivering irtec, ensuring the scheme reflects industry needs.

Further details are available from the irtec website at www.irtec.org.uk.