Skip over main navigation
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Friends of Imperial College
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Sign up Donate Log in Log out
Menu
  • Our events
    • Programme of events for 2020-21
    • Fireside chats – season 3, spring 2021
    • Fireside chats - our mini series in 2020
    • Past events 2019-20
    • Past events 2018-19
  • About us
    • What we do
    • What difference we make together
    • Our committee
    • Committee area
  • Join Friends
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)

Our committee

Professor David Southwood CBE – Chair and Trustee

After a PhD in Physics at Imperial and some postdoctoral work in the USA, two thirds of my academic career was spent in space research at Imperial.  Founding the Space and Atmospheric Physics group in 1986, I became head of the Physics Department in 1994. 

Taking leave from Imperial in 1997, I joined the European Space Agency (ESA) to draw up a pan-institutional European Earth Observation programme that remains in place today. In 2001, I became ESA Science and Robotic Exploration Director.

Retiring in 2011, I returned to Imperial as a senior research investigator in Physics.  

I am a past Chair of the Steering Board of the UK Space Agency, serving on the Board 2011-2019, and was President of the Royal Astronomical Society 2012-2014.  I received a CBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to space science and industry in the United Kingdom and Europe.

I was delighted to be invited to become the Chair and Trustee of Friends in November 2020. Owing a great deal to Imperial, I am very pleased to take part in communicating what Imperial is about through Friends.

Azad Ayub  - Committee Member and Trustee
Honorary treasurer and trustee, Bill Blackburn
Bill Blackburn - Deputy Chair and Trustee

I studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College while working for Rolls-Royce aero engines in Bristol. I specialised in combustion engineering, combining R&D activities alongside computer modelling. Having worked in a range of defence, manufacturing firms and financial institutions supporting technology-enabled business transformation, I now work as an independent business consultant supporting organisations on major business change programmes.

I joined Friends of Imperial College in 2009 and recognised the importance of blending interesting events with the social aspects. I volunteered for the Treasurer role in 2010 with the goal to streamline processes and manage finances so that we can invest in promoting our exciting programme of events and grow membership. I then took on the role of Deputy Chair in 2017 with a focus on operational matters.

I live in Dorking, Surrey and enjoy walking, cycling and music, particularly live jazz.

John Evans, photographed for Friends at IC
John Evans - Committee Zoom Maestro and Programme Manager

I came from Manchester to Imperial in 1979 to do a Physics degree. Despite spending my adult life in the real world of risk and safety engineering, I always followed developments in my subject. I attended Brian May's long awaited Doctorate lecture in 2007 and I found that there was more of interest going on at Imperial than I had realised.

I have now been coming back for lectures at IC for longer than I attended as a student! I was very happy that after attendance at the Friends lectures, I had to chance to provide input into the committee. I am exceptionally pleased that among those showing an interest in the subjects Rod, Angie and the team organise are my family and friends.

Committee member, Alan Grant
Alan Grant - Committee Member and Events Host

Born in Dundee, I graduated in Physics at the University of St Andrews, followed by a PhD at Trinity College, Cambridge. I continued experimental work in solid state physics at the Cavendish Laboratory with a research fellowship at St John's College and subsequently as an IBM Research Fellow at the Thomas J Watson Research Center at Yorktown Heights, New York.

I have spent most of my career in the Civil Service, first at the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment in Malvern, and then in Whitehall. Since leaving the Civil Service, I worked as an independent consultant on IT related projects.

Now retired and living in Dulwich, my interests include cosmology, genetics, and golf. Friends of Imperial College offer an excellent way to keep the remaining grey cells stimulated!

Committee member, Stewart Katz
Stewart Katz - Hon Treasurer and Trustee

Born in Reading in 1946. Lived in Edgware, Brighton, Stanmore, Beverley Hills, Brighton, and finally West London. But still found time to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. Despite doing three science A- levels, I never went into science. But, I have always had an abiding passion for all the sciences, including sociology, psychology, astronomy, biology and nutrition. Self-taught, well-read and still keen to increase my knowledge. Someone even wrote my tombstone epitaph: "From bookworm to earthworm".

I trust my financial background and my passion for science will be of use to the Friends Committee and I took over the role of Treasurer in September 2019.

Martin Keats - Committee Member

I initially qualified to work in management in the Hotel and Catering industry, transferring for 25 years to the Financial Services industry, before finally taking up a post for a few years at Imperial College London in the administration side of Community Mental Health Research (Medicine) within the Brain Science Faculty.  

This environment reignited an interest in science and the statistics connected with epidemiology, particularly once I started noticing the regular, round-robin emails from Friends of Imperial College which dropped into our mailboxes.

I therefore became a Member of Friends in 2011 and was invited to join the Committee in 2019. Since joining Friends, I have gravitated towards a general interest in microbiology.

Committee member, Prof. Richard Kitney
Professor Richard Kitney OBE - Committee Member

Dick Kitney is Professor of Biomedical Systems Engineering; Chairman of the Institute of Systems and Synthetic Biology; and Co-Director of the EPSRC National Centre for Synthetic Biology and Innovation.  His full title is Professor Richard Kitney OBE, FREng, FRSE, DSc (Eng), FC.

He was Founding Head of the Department of Bioengineering, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. He chaired The Royal Academy of Engineering Inquiry into Synthetic Biology. He is a member of the Ministerial Leadership Council for Synthetic Biology and was one of the main authors of the UK Roadmap for Synthetic Biology.

Dick is recognised as a leading researcher in synthetic biology and, with Professor Paul Freemont, has been responsible for developing the Imperial College Hub for Synthetic Biology, recognised as one of the leading international centres in the field. Kitney was made a Fellow of the World Technology Network in 1999 for his innovative work in the fields of health and medicine.  He was made an Academician of the International Academy of BioMedical Engineering in September 2003 (this is the highest honour bestowed by the International Federation of BioMedical Engineering Societies). He is also a Fellow of AIMBE, the America Academy of BioMedical Engineering. In 2006 he was made an Honorary Fellow of both The Royal College of Physicians and The Royal College of Surgeons. 

In June 2001, Professor Kitney was awarded The Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to Information Technology in Biomedicine.

Committee member, Rita Leek
Rita Leek - Committee external events co-ordinator

I have lived close to Imperial for many years now and joined the committee in 2006 after attending, and being very impressed by, Friends lectures at the College. My background is somewhat eclectic. I began my undergraduate life by taking an Arts degree, followed by a BSc in PPE at Birmingham University and then reading for the Bar. However, after completing my pupillage, I decided than the courtroom was not for me. Instead, I bought a restaurant in the City. This was a great challenge as I had absolutely no prior experience in catering. Nonetheless, I ran it very successfully for five years before selling and moving into property. This has been my field ever since, despite the sometimes dramatic ups and downs of the economy and the market.

Originally I was very much a non-scientist, it was my worst subject at school. My interest in it has developed over the years and I will now readily share my enthusiasm for science with my friends (or anyone else who will listen!). Many of my own friends have now become members and staunch supporters of Friends.

I hope I have also helped Friends not only to grow, but also to 'spread our wings' a little by organising trips further afield, such as Diamond Light, STFC, and the inaugural Friends visit to CERN in April 2013. These visits have proved hugely popular and I hope to help initiate some more for our future programmes.

Event promotion, Paresh Parmar
Paresh Parmar - Committee video editor and publisher

Currently I am a senior tutor at Westminster Kingsway College, responsible for the delivery of the digital arts curriculum, mainly within a further education sector. Although my teaching experience extends to the HE sector, developing multidisciplinary teaching and learning materials that promote knowledge transfer between research and post graduate.

I am particularly interested in how new technology is embedded in everyday life along with its social, cultural and ethical implications. My other interests include colour communication, digital colour reproduction and design applied to both visual art and science, sensory responsive technologies, database and network art, intersection of technology and users, and phases of the technological development from mechanical, electronics to digital.

I decided to join Friends of Imperial College and have volunteered since 2009 as a committee member, mainly focusing on event promotions and outreach activities and efforts. Now I also edit and publish our online lectures on the Friends YouTube channel.

Chair and trustee, Roderick Rhys Jones
Roderick Rhys Jones - Emeritus Chair

I graduated in Civil Engineering from Imperial College in 1964. Whilst at College I was Vice-President of the engineering faculty student's union and an editor of Phoenix, the arts magazine founded by HG Wells. After graduation I worked as a surveyor in Antarctica before travelling through South America, the United States and ending the trip by sailing the Pacific in a small ketch. Returning to London I worked as a journalist on business magazines before working in the engineering industry. In 1978 I founded a management consultancy in the construction and engineering industry with my wife Sandi working on projects all over the world.

I have been involved in alumni activities since graduation firstly editing and then publishing the Imperial Engineer and subsequently in building up Friends of Imperial College as an independent association concerned with promoting public understanding of the advances in science and technology and thereby supporting the mission of the College. In 2013 I was awarded the Imperial College Gold Medal for my contribution 'for substantially increasing Imperial's engagement with the public, alumni, supporters, and local people.

John Talbot - Committee website guru

I read Mechanical Engineering at Imperial in the ‘60s.  I loved every minute of my time in the College – tinkering with engines in the lab, living in South Kensington.  Before I graduated in 1969, I learned some programming.

This stood me in good stead when I joined the newly-formed Ford of Europe.  I had many roles in IT there, including managing its European telecommunications network and many projects, big and small.

So when I received a circular asking if anyone would have some time to help on a project for Friends, I put my hand up.  It was great fun working with the committee to get the new (2019) web site up and running. And it still is!

Katri Yates, photographed for Friends at IC

Katri Yates - Membership Secretary

Katri read Business Studies with a major in Finance at University of Helsinki before moving to London where she now advises a number of investment funds and Banks on their investment strategy.

Published: 17th July, 2019

Updated: 29th December, 2020

Author: John Talbot

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • “Thanks to Imperial”

    “Thanks to Imperial”

    This inaugural talk is by the new Friends of Imperial College Chair, Professor David Southwood CBE. He will describe how, thanks to Imperial and the great institution that it is, it set him off on a career which took him all over the globe and even (vicariously) to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and to the stars beyond. Click here to find out more.

  • Friends Christmas Party

    Friends Christmas Party

    Exclusively for Members and their guests, we held an entertaining hour of short talks, music and fun. For those Friends who had missed our social post-lecture drinks this year, this was (virtually) for them.

  • Test Blog Post

    Test post

  • Friends of Imperial College programme support appeal

    Friends of Imperial College programme support appeal

    Friends are reliant on ticket revenue alongside Membership subscriptions therefore we have been severely impacted by the loss of event income due to the pandemic. We would welcome your donations to support the running of our 2020-21 programme and provide inspiration through education. Click below to donate...

Most read

  • Drugs, booze and politics: finding a balance

    Drugs, booze and politics: finding a balance

    Professor David Nutt, a well known proponent of drug law reform, talked about evidence-based analysis of the harm to the individual and wider community arising from alcohol, tobacco and a range of drugs, and how this is or should be used to inform policy at the national level.

  • Our committee

    The committee of Friends of Imperial College

  • Black holes, entropy and strings

    Black holes, entropy and strings

    A full lecture theatre heard why black holes are amongst the most extraordinary objects in the universe.

  • Friends of Imperial College 2020/21 programme appeal

    Friends of Imperial College 2020/21 programme appeal

    Thank you so much for your willingness to support the creation of our 2020/21 programme. To donate simply click on the amount below you wish to contribute and follow the steps to payment. Together we can continue to provide inspiration through education!

  • Chirality and the future of electronics

    Chirality and the future of electronics

    Dr Jess Wade BEM, Imperial physicist, explained how in the right circumstances carbon could make a great replacement for silicon in a new wave of electronic devices.

  • Genomic Medicine: Report from the forefront

    Genomic Medicine: Report from the forefront

    Biomedical research has become a booming area of science with major implications for just about every aspect of medicine. In this lecture, we learnt if we are ready for them.

  • Behind-the-Scenes @ Physics Plasma Group

    Behind-the-Scenes @ Physics Plasma Group

    A Members-only exclusive Behind-the-Scenes visit to the largest university-based pulsed-power generator, MAGPIE, at Imperial College London

  • Cure: mind over body

    Cure: mind over body

    At this soirée, our Members were fascinated by author Jo Marchant's talk on alternatives to prescription drugs. The question 'can our minds really heal our bodies?' was dicsussed and it engaged everyone.

  • Privacy Notice

    PRIVACY NOTICE

  • Friends Christmas Party

    Friends Christmas Party

    Exclusively for Members and their guests, we held an entertaining hour of short talks, music and fun. For those Friends who had missed our social post-lecture drinks this year, this was (virtually) for them.

Contact us

Contact us by email
[email protected]



Friends is grateful for the generous support of 
Azad Ayub, alumnus of Imperial College London.

Logo for Azad Ayub property development

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Notice
  • Coronavirus Information

Registered Charity Number 1161269