Staff

Chief Executive Officer

Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE

Hayaatun is CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation. She co-chairs with the Science Minister the government’s Business Innovation Forum and co-chaired with Sir Lewis Hamilton his Commission on improving Black representation in motorsport. She is a trustee of various charities, member of the government’s Levelling Up Advisory Council and Digital Skills Council, advisor to the Advanced Research and Invention Agency and NXD at construction company Laing O’Rourke. She has been named as one of the ‘Inspiring 50’ women in tech in Europe and one of the most influential women in both UK engineering and UK tech.

She has a Masters in Biochemistry (MBiochem) from Oxford and a PhD from Cancer Research UK/UCL. She is a Fellow of the IET, Honorary Professor at UCL and Honorary Fellow at The Queen’s College, Oxford. She has received honorary doctorates from UCL, Imperial College London, Newcastle, Brunel, Huddersfield, Southampton and Cranfield, as well as a Science Suffrage Award and the Engineering Professor’s Council President’s Medal. She was made a CBE for services to International Engineering in 2019.

Prior to her current roles, she was Deputy CEO at the Academy and served as Committee Specialist and later Specialist Adviser to the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee.

Hayaatun Sillem 2023

Hayaatun is CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation. She co-chairs with the Science Minister the government’s Business Innovation Forum and co-chaired with Sir Lewis Hamilton his Commission on improving Black representation in motorsport. She is a trustee of various charities, member of the government’s Levelling Up Advisory Council and Digital Skills Council, advisor to the Advanced Research and Invention Agency and NXD at construction company Laing O’Rourke. She has been named as one of the ‘Inspiring 50’ women in tech in Europe and one of the most influential women in both UK engineering and UK tech.

She has a Masters in Biochemistry (MBiochem) from Oxford and a PhD from Cancer Research UK/UCL. She is a Fellow of the IET, Honorary Professor at UCL and Honorary Fellow at The Queen’s College, Oxford. She has received honorary doctorates from UCL, Imperial College London, Newcastle, Brunel, Huddersfield, Southampton and Cranfield, as well as a Science Suffrage Award and the Engineering Professor’s Council President’s Medal. She was made a CBE for services to International Engineering in 2019.

Prior to her current roles, she was Deputy CEO at the Academy and served as Committee Specialist and later Specialist Adviser to the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee.

Associate Director

Jonathan Narbett

As Associate Director, Jonathan is responsible for the design, development and implementation of policies that enhance the QEPrize’s global profile and embed its status as the world’s leading prize for engineers and engineering.

A humanities graduate, Jonathan has developed a fascination with engineering, particularly in its application to cycling and skiing.

Jonathan 1

As Associate Director, Jonathan is responsible for the design, development and implementation of policies that enhance the QEPrize’s global profile and embed its status as the world’s leading prize for engineers and engineering.

A humanities graduate, Jonathan has developed a fascination with engineering, particularly in its application to cycling and skiing.

Head of Media and Engagement

Jane Sutton

Jane helps to drive national and global publicity for the QEPrize and works with the team to develop unique, high-profile events to showcase the winners and their achievements.

Jane read chemistry at the University of York and is passionate about promoting science, engineering and technology.

Jane Sutton 2023

Jane helps to drive national and global publicity for the QEPrize and works with the team to develop unique, high-profile events to showcase the winners and their achievements.

Jane read chemistry at the University of York and is passionate about promoting science, engineering and technology.

Head of Programmes

Dr Sarah Rhodes

Sarah leads the QEPrize awards programmes to celebrate and nurture global engineering excellence. She oversees the operation and development of QEPrize events and activities to raise the public profile of engineering and inspire the young to consider a career in engineering.

Sarah has an applied research background in design for social innovation and is passionate about using diverse, inclusive co-design methods to address complex global challenges.

Sarah Rhodes 3

Sarah leads the QEPrize awards programmes to celebrate and nurture global engineering excellence. She oversees the operation and development of QEPrize events and activities to raise the public profile of engineering and inspire the young to consider a career in engineering.

Sarah has an applied research background in design for social innovation and is passionate about using diverse, inclusive co-design methods to address complex global challenges.

QEPrize Ambassador Network Coordinator

Jenny Pinta

Jenny implements an innovative, creative, and diverse programme of public engagement, training and outreach opportunities for the QEPrize Ambassador Network. She has support and facilitation experience with European student networks where she developed connections to exchange ideas to promote the development of more objective perspectives and innovative thinking.

Jenny has recently completed her MA in International Business. She is a BA Modern Languages graduate with a first-class honour’s degree and several years of language background experience.

Jenny Pinta 2023

Jenny implements an innovative, creative, and diverse programme of public engagement, training and outreach opportunities for the QEPrize Ambassador Network. She has support and facilitation experience with European student networks where she developed connections to exchange ideas to promote the development of more objective perspectives and innovative thinking.

Jenny has recently completed her MA in International Business. She is a BA Modern Languages graduate with a first-class honour’s degree and several years of language background experience.

Digital Communications and Marketing Manager

Suzanne Kanca

As Digital Communications and Marketing Manager, Suzanne is responsible for the development and running of all QEPrize communications activities through social and digital media channels, with the aim of increasing engagement and awareness of the QEPrize.

As a humanities graduate Suzanne has always been interested in using different forms of communication to improve brand awareness.

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As Digital Communications and Marketing Manager, Suzanne is responsible for the development and running of all QEPrize communications activities through social and digital media channels, with the aim of increasing engagement and awareness of the QEPrize.

As a humanities graduate Suzanne has always been interested in using different forms of communication to improve brand awareness.

Programme Manager

Kyle Biggs

Kyle manages the nominations and judging processes for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, in addition to overseeing team logistics, events, and activities that celebrate and foster global engineering excellence.

His journey at the Academy began in the Research team before he transitioned to his current role with the QEPrize.

QEP 060224 5

Kyle manages the nominations and judging processes for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, in addition to overseeing team logistics, events, and activities that celebrate and foster global engineering excellence.

His journey at the Academy began in the Research team before he transitioned to his current role with the QEPrize.