Announcements

Professor Nigel Brandon has accepted appointment as Vice-Dean (Research) for the Faculty of Engineering from 1 May 2016 until 31 July 2018.

Professor Brandon will continue to hold his current roles within the Faculty of Engineering as Director of the Sustainable Gas Institute, BG Chair in Sustainable Gas, and Professor of Sustainable Development in Energy in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering.

Professor Brandon joined the College in 1998 as Senior Lecturer in Electrochemical Engineering, and since then he has occupied a number of leadership positions including serving as Director of the Energy Futures Lab. His research is focused on electrochemical devices for energy applications, with a particular focus on fuel cells, electrolysers, and batteries. In 2011 he was awarded the OBE for services to UK-China science.

John Neilson
College Secretary & Registrar

Read Vice-Dean (Research), Faculty of Engineering in full

Mr Luke Blair, currently an equity partner and board director at London Communications Agency (LCA), has accepted appointment as the College’s first Vice-President (Communications and Public Affairs). He will take up his position in September.

In the interim period until Mr Blair starts his appointment at the College, Mrs Caroline Davis, Head of Communications, will serve as Acting Director of Communications and Public Affairs, reporting to the President.

As Vice-President, Mr Blair will lead the Communications and Public Affairs Division, directing activities to promote Imperial’s work in the UK and internationally, to communicate with the College community, and to develop Imperial’s brand and its digital media strategy. He will advise the College leadership team as a member of the President’s Executive Group, President’s Board and Provost’s Board, and will report to the President.

A former political correspondent Mr Blair spent 10 years in journalism. He then held public relations roles at London First, the Design Council and the public relations consultancy Fishburn Hedges before joining LCA in 2003.

In Mr Blair’s 12 years at LCA he has covered communications leadership roles across the private and public sectors, including local government, the NHS and Transport for London. He has also been a member of the Cabinet Office communications review team and is a regular judge of PR industry awards.

Mr Blair holds a BA in English from Reading University and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

John Neilson
College Secretary & Registrar

Read Vice-President (Communications and Public Affairs) in full

Dr Markus Perkmann has taken up appointment as Head of the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Imperial College Business School, with effect from 1 February 2016.

Dr Perkmann joined the Business School in 2008 as a Senior Research Fellow, going on to become Head of the Business Model Innovation theme within the then Innovation Studies Centre. He was appointed Associate Professor of Technology and Innovation Management in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Group in July 2013.

John Neilson
College Secretary & Registrar

Read Head of the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in full

Professor Neil Alford, Chair in Materials and Vice Dean for Research in the Faculty of Engineering, has accepted appointment as Associate Provost (Academic Planning), a new part-time role, with effect from 4 April 2016.

Initially a two-year appointment, reporting to the Provost, Professor Alford will work on defining and developing new multi-disciplinary research facilities and research hubs, particularly at the White City Campus. He will work in conjunction with the many varied areas of College which are involved in these activities and particularly closely with Professor Maggie Dallman, Associate Provost (Academic Partnerships), and Professor Nick Jennings, Vice-Provost (Research). The Associate Provost (Academic Planning) will be a member of the Provost’s Board.

Professor Alford joined the College in 2007, and since then he has occupied a number of leadership positions. Professor Alford has served as Head of the Department of Materials, Acting Vice Provost (Research) and he remains Vice Dean for Research in the Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on Functional Materials, and in 2013 he was awarded the MBE for services to Engineering.

John Neilson
College Secretary & Registrar

Read Associate Provost (Academic Planning) in full