An Engine for Change - A Chronicle of the Engineering Council

1991-1995: THE FAIRCLOUGH YEARS 87formally recognised the EngC as the UK body responsible for international recognition ofqualifications.The Board for the Engineering Profession was to implement activities in the UK on mattersaffecting the whole engineering profession. It was to comprise:‣ sixteen Senate Members elected to Senate by the councils of the Nominated Bodies‣ up to four Senate Members not falling within this description.In more detail this Board was given responsibility for:(1) developing, in conjunction with the Engineering Institutions, the system for:(a) commenting publicly and advising the United KingdomGovernment on common issues;(b) promoting the role of engineers and engineering in society forthe public benefit;(2) maintaining strong and effective links between educational organisations,industry, the engineering profession and the public in order to enhance boththe number and quality of those entering the engineering profession and thetechnological awareness of society;(3) encouraging the further cooperative development of regional activity onengineering matters in the United Kingdom;(4) maintaining a relationship with industry and commerce in order to ensure thatthe engineering profession meets the needs of society;(5) promoting and managing, for the purposes of the EngC’s Charter, jointventures between the EngC, participating Engineering Institutions and others;(6) promoting, amongst employers and employees, the benefits of continuingeducation and training in all relevant skills.Again this reflected broadly the activities of the previous Industry and Regions Directorate –but now, within the new governing structure the Institutions were involved.Both Boards had also to prepare annual budgets and financial plans for approval by theSenate and could be required by Senate to perform any other relevant functions.It may be useful to note here that to reflect these changes the job titles of the EngC staffDirectors who provided support to the two new Boards were changed, although this causednot a little confusion. Prior to 1996 the Director Engineering Profession (Professor KeithFoster) looked after the Board for Engineers’ Registration, the five EGCs and theNominations Committee, while the Director Industry and Regions (Bob Eade) looked afterindustrial and regional affairs, WISE and similar activities. After 1996, Professor Foster’s jobtitle was logically changed to Director Engineers’ Regulation, whereas the title DirectorEngineering Profession was used as a replacement for Director Industry and Regions becausethat Director (Bob Eade and then Brian O’Neill – see later) supported the Board for theEngineering Profession, though continuing to care for industrial and regional affairs, WISEand all similar initiatives.The new revised Royal Charter also provided for an Annual Engineering Conference [toreplace the Engineering Assembly] at which Senate would make available its annual reportand accounts. The Conference would have no executive powers but could pass resolutions forthe attention of Senate relating to any matter relevant to the activities of the EngC.© Engineering Council UK 2004