We are pleased to welcome the following speakers to the event.
Al Peasland - Fieri Leadership
From Lego to F1: An engineers’ journey into the world of motorsport 1-1.15pm
My engineering career has taken me on a journey that led to senior roles within two Formula One world championship teams. Along the way, I have learned the importance of patience and resilience in pursuing a career in motorsport, as success often requires persistence and determination. Standing out from the crowd is crucial, and thinking creatively can make a significant difference in setting yourself apart. Additionally, understanding what motorsport hiring managers look for when recruiting can provide valuable insights into how to position yourself for opportunities in this highly competitive industry.
BIOGRAPHY: Al is a director and commercial strategist with over 30 years of experience across multiple sectors, including 15 years in Formula One sponsorships, where he enjoyed the incredible success of Red Bull Racing’s four drivers’ and four constructors’ championship wins. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the IMechE, and a Member of the CIM. Beyond his professional achievements, Al is dedicated to charitable work, serving as a Trustee for the IMechE Benevolent Fund and advising Coventry University and England Boxing. A skilled public speaker, he is passionate about inspiring and motivating others to reach their full potential.
Jamie Shenton, JCB
From University Student to Engineering Manager at JCB 1.15-1.30pm
Jamie Shenton, IEng IMechE, once a distracted motorcycle and motorsport student at Coventry University with dreams of working in Formula One or motorcycle racing, has taken a different but equally exciting path. Fast forward to today, and he is the Engineering Manager of the Structures Department at JCB, ensuring all JCB designs are appropriate for their design life and meet the expectations of customers worldwide.
In this session, Jamie will share insights into his journey from university to a leadership role in engineering, answering key questions such as: How did it happen? How long did it take? And how could you achieve something similar?
BIOGRAPHY: Jamie started at JCB as a graduate 14 years ago. He quickly decided to focus his career on durability and fatigue. His experience ranges through structural simulation, physical testing & data collection, data analysis and process engineering. Jamie has been the technical lead of and participated in various grant funded research projects. In addition, he is an EIS Director, Durability & Fatigue Group committee member and oversees the Young Engineers Forum. He continues to lead structural innovation and education within JCB and the wider EIS communities.
Jason Truong, Safran
From Cars to Aircraft – The Transferable Power of Engineering 1.30-1.45pm
In this presentation, I will share my career journey from testing cars to now working on aircraft components and systems, highlighting the key skills I’ve gained along the way. Students already possess many transferable skills through university courses and other experiences – showcasing these effectively is essential. I will also explore core engineering knowledge and how to apply it in diverse industries, helping students recognise their potential and stand out in their future careers.
BIOGRAPHY: Jason is an mechanical engineer with a background in automotive testing and is currently a Senior Verification and Validation Engineer at Safran. Jason began as a test engineer in the automotive industry, where he honed his skills in vehicle dynamics, safety testing, and performance evaluation. He has since transitioned to the aerospace sector and now applies his extensive testing expertise to aerospace systems.
Farah Baksh, IMechE
From Student to Professional Registration: how IMechE supports your journey 2.30-2.45pm
Farah Baksh from the IMechE will explain the benefits you can receive by being a free member of the IMechE . She will also explain the academic requirements and competency requirements to becoming Professionally Registered as an Engineering Technician , Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer and what this means as you develop your career .
Your IMechE student membership provides you with a variety of great benefits. You probably knew about these when you signed up and thought they sounded exciting and supportive. Have you actively used your membership? Could it be giving you more?
BIOGRAPHY: Farah Baksh is Global Relationship Manager at IMechE, She has been with the IMechE for 12 years, and her role is to work with engineers in industry and academia, supporting them to become professionally registered at the route most appropriate to them. She also offers advice and guidance on all the IMechE benefits which will help support engineers throughout their career and their development.
Patricia Ashman, Women's Engineering Society (WES)
From Entry to Legacy: Keeping Women in Engineering – and the Role of Male Allies 2.45-3pm
The conversation about women in engineering often focuses on barriers to entry—but what happens after they get in? Too often, talented women leave the profession due to environments that fail to evolve with their needs, the so called leaky pipeline. This session moves beyond the usual conversation which revolves around how we attract women into engineering and instead asks: How do we nurture and retain women in engineering for the long term?
We’ll explore strategies for supporting women at every career stage—whether returning after maternity leave, navigating menopause, or simply finding workplaces that adapt to different needs.
What does a truly inclusive and supportive work environment look like? How do we design spaces and policies that enable women to build long, fulfilling careers in engineering?
Crucially, this isn’t just a women’s issue—men play a vital role as allies in shaping the culture of engineering. We’ll discuss how male colleagues, leaders, and mentors can actively support gender-inclusive workplaces, challenge biases, and advocate for meaningful change.
Let’s shift the focus from recruitment to retention and discuss how we can create engineering workplaces where women don’t just survive but thrive—with the support of an industry that values all forms of diversity and everyone’s contribution and potential.
BIOGRAPHY: Patricia is a mechanical engineer with a diverse global career spanning the Automotive, Rail, and Steel industries. She now brings her expertise and experience to her academic leadership role within the School of Engineering at Coventry University. Her focus is on developing industry-ready graduates equipped to tackle the grand challenges of our time. These include renewable energy, sustainability, artificial intelligence, clean water, and more. Her expertise lies in future mobility and transport, with a special interest in addressing the ethical challenges of our rapidly transforming society.
Heather Parr, JLR
How to Network Effectively with Employers - 3-3.15pm
Careers fairs and networking events can be daunting. Which employers should I speak to? What do I ask? How do I leave a good impression? Join Heather Parr, University Engagement Lead at JLR, as he shares his reflections following years of speaking to tens of thousands of students up and down the country, on tips for how to approach employers at careers events. We’ll cover preparing for careers fairs and how to get the most out of conversations to support your future job search and chances of success within the application process.
