Sizewell C’s Director of Energy Strategy elected Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering

• Dr David Cole is one of 74 leading figures selected by the Academy at its AGM 
• Previous Fellows include the jet engine visionary Sir Frank Whittle and bouncing bomb inventor Sir Barnes Wallis 

Sizewell C’s Director of Energy Strategy, Dr David Cole, has been elected a Fellow at the Royal Academy of Engineering. 

David was one of 74 leading figures selected by the Academy at its AGM on 23 September.  

The Academy, whose patron is King Charles III, recognises UK and global pioneers in the field of engineering and technology.  

In joining the Fellowship, David will lend his unique expertise to achieving the Academy’s overarching strategic goal to ‘engineer better lives’.   

David said: “It’s an honour to have been elected a Fellow by such a prestigious institution. When I started out in engineering 30 years ago, I never imagined my career would be so varied and exciting. And I’m delighted to represent the nuclear energy industry at the Academy – building the future of Britain’s energy couldn’t be more aligned to the Academy’s goal to engineer better lives.” 

David graduated from the University of Cambridge with an engineering degree and a PhD in Materials Science and Metallurgy in 2000. He has global experience in multiple industries across the energy sector, including power & renewables, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, energy storage, transmission and distribution and industrial decarbonisation.  

Before joining Sizewell C, David was the Operations Director for EDF Nuclear Services. Prior to this, he spent nearly 20 years at global engineering firm Atkins, latterly as Director of Atkins’ UK, Europe and Middle East ‘Net Zero Energy’ business.  

David was the creator of ‘Engineering Net Zero’ and is a passionate advocate for a system-led, fair, and pragmatic approach to energy infrastructure and its critical role supporting society. 

David added: “Nuclear power projects such as Sizewell C are helping to nurture the designers and engineers of the future, and now is a great time for anyone considering a career in engineering and technology. Futureproofing Britain’s energy security has never been so important, and I’m pleased that I, and the whole team at Sizewell C, are playing a key role in that.” 

The Royal Academy of Engineering was founded as The Fellowship of Engineering in 1976. The initial cohort of 130 Fellows included the jet engine visionary Sir Frank Whittle, design guru Sir Ove Arup, bouncing bomb inventor Sir Barnes Wallis, and Sir Maurice Wilkes, father of the UK computer industry. HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, became its Senior Fellow. 

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a special ceremony in London on 18 November, when each Fellow will sign the roll book. 

Sir John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “Today’s cohort join a community of around 1,700 of some of the most talented engineers and innovators in the UK and around the globe. Their knowledge and experience make them uniquely well placed to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world, and our determination to advance and promote excellence in engineering remains undimmed.”