AlumniSimon Burr MBE FRAes

Course studied: BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering, 1989

Position at time of writing: Group Director of Engineering, Technology and Safety at Rolls-Royce

Tell us a bit about your background

I grew up in London, one of six children and the only one to pursue a career in engineering. My grandfather had been an engineer in the aircraft industry and I think he inspired me, although living under the Heathrow flight path probably was an influence too! I studied Mechanical Engineering at Strathclyde and graduated in 1989.

Why did you choose Strathclyde?

The degree course has proved really useful over my working life

I chose Strathclyde as it had, and still does, a very good reputation for Mechanical Engineering and a couple of friends had also applied to go there. I also wanted to go somewhere different to my four older brothers! I didn’t realise it at the time, but the breadth of the degree course, which included electronics, nuclear engineering and manufacturing, has proved really useful over my working life. In my career, most of which has been in aerospace, I have run an electronics business, various factories and now in my Group role I have responsibility for nuclear engineering as well as aerospace and other disciplines.

Where are you now?

I’m based in Derby where Rolls-Royce’s civil aerospace engine business and also its nuclear business are based, but I also spend considerable time in London at our HQ and out visiting customers, suppliers and the company’s sites around the world.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

That’s hard to say as there have been a few! A key one would be when I was awarded an MBE for Services to the Aerospace Industry in 2009, which related to work on advanced controls for aircraft engines. In more recent times, a team I’m responsible for has broken the world speed record for electric flight (with Electroflight), designed and built the world’s largest and most efficient jet engine (the Ultrafan) and, in conjunction with fuels specialists, Regulators and Virgin Atlantic, enabled the first crossing of the Atlantic by an aircraft powered by 100% sustainable fuel.

What are your ambitions for the future?

Rolls-Royce employs over 14,500 engineers and as we are growing in our aerospace and nuclear businesses, we need more! I want to ensure that we can attract and retain the next generation of engineers needed to help bring to life not only the latest jet engine concepts but also Small and Advanced Modular Reactors.

What challenges and opportunities are you excited for in the aerospace industry?

The next big challenge is what replaces the current generation of Narrowbody aircraft, which many of us will have flown on at some stage. Rolls-Royce has been working for many years, including with Strathclyde, on advanced technologies that can enable much more fuel efficient and quieter engines for these new designs of aircraft.