We're delighted to welcome 3 new trustees to our board
James Murnieks, Jo Passingham and Neil Young joined EngineeringUK’s board on 1 December 2025.
James Murnieks is CFO and Executive Director at Siemens UK and Ireland. As a leader of a technology company driving digital transformation for businesses, James’ focus is on ensuring customer success, achievement of financial objectives, people development and delivery of sustainability, digitalisation and other strategic projects. James is also a member of the Make UK Economic Policy Committee and the UK Government’s Social Change Committee – Economic Change and Investment Group. James holds an Engineering degree from the University of Manchester, is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales.
James said: “I’m delighted to join EngineeringUK as a trustee at such a pivotal time for the sector. Engineering and technology are the backbone of innovation and productivity, and as digital transformation accelerates, the need for a skilled workforce has never been greater.
“EngineeringUK’s work to inspire and equip the next generation is vital to ensuring the UK remains competitive and drives sustainable growth. I’m looking forward to supporting their mission to create opportunities that empower young people and strengthen the talent pipeline for the future of the sector.”
Jo Passingham is currently interim CEO of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), having joined the organisation earlier this year. A Chartered Management Accountant, Jo has held a number of Chief Financial Officer roles. These include most recently in an FCA-regulated Business Process Outsourcing business, and previously with a major UK regulatory agency, and a leading European climate innovation agency. She has led significant transformation programmes, implemented ERP systems, overseen large-scale organisational restructuring, and worked extensively with boards, regulators and stakeholders across complex environments.
Jo comments, “I’m honoured to join the board of EngineeringUK and contribute to its vital mission of inspiring the next generation of engineers and strengthening the UK’s engineering workforce. Collaboration across the sector is essential to addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead, and I look forward to working with my fellow board members to help shape impactful initiatives that support innovation, sustainability, and skills development.”
Neil Young (CEng, BEng, FIChemE) is the Global Engineering Capability Director at Babcock International Group where he leads engineering strategy areas around people, process and tools. A passionate advocate of STEM, his current role includes driving STEM, skills and future workforce strategies ensuring Babcock has the right people in the right place at the right time to deliver on the company’s critical defence programmes. As well as sitting on the global engineering executive board, Neil is a member of the Defence Industrial Joint Council People and Skills steering group, co-chairing the working group for demand signal and academic interface.
Neil comments, “It’s an honour to be appointed a trustee of EngineeringUK. The country needs a diverse engineering workforce to deliver economic growth and sovereign security, something Babcock is committed to addressing. I’m looking forward to my role on EngineeringUK's board, supporting the organisation's collaborative work to drive change, inspire young people and help address the engineering skills gap.”
Our Chair, Iain Conn said, “I am delighted to welcome James, Jo and Neil to EngineeringUK’s board of Trustees. They bring with them a wealth of experience of the engineering sector and some new perspectives that I am sure will provide insightful contributions to our work. I look forward working with them to support EngineeringUK as we deliver on our mission to inspire young people from all backgrounds to pursue engineering and technology careers and (with others) placing engineering and technology at the heart of the UK’s future growth and prosperity.”
I am delighted to welcome James, Jo and Neil to EngineeringUK’s board of Trustees. They bring with them a wealth of experience of the engineering sector and some new perspectives that I am sure will provide insightful contributions to our work. I look forward working with them to support EngineeringUK as we deliver on our mission to inspire young people from all backgrounds to pursue engineering and technology careers and (with others) placing engineering and technology at the heart of the UK’s future growth and prosperity.
— Iain Conn, EngineeringUK Chair
