Former F1 Chief Engineer appointed IMechE President

27th May 2016

Nat Bowers

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Jon Hilton CEng FIMechE from Northamptonshire has become the 131st President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He commented: “I am delighted to be taking on this role and in my year as President I want to concentrate on developing professional engineers, as well as encouraging those who have already chosen engineering as a career to make the most of their choice.

“Mentoring is something I am passionate about and am keen to promote during the coming year. I believe there is much to learn from the experience of our colleagues, not only at the start of our careers, but all the way through to retirement.

“I also want to highlight the role of entrepreneurs and how well-placed professional engineers are to be the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Engineers are essentially problem-solvers and problem-solving is at the heart of smart business.”

Jon joined the Institution as a young member in 1982 when he started his engineering career with Rolls-Royce military engines group at Leavesden. Completing the Rolls-Royce undergraduate training scheme and graduating from the Hatfield Polytechnic, Jon took a first appointment in helicopter engine design.

His passion for engines led him to Formula One and in 1991 he moved to Cosworth where he rose up the ranks from Engine Designer to Chief Engineer of the F1 programme by the end of 1997. In 1998 Jon moved to the TWR Arrows team as Chief Engineer of the F1 Engines group and here he built up a team of skilled engineers to design and develop F1 engines for TWR.

In early 2003 Jon moved, along with the whole of his F1 engines team, to Renault F1 where he formed the UK based engine division for the team. As Technical Director Engine Division Jon was intimately involved with a very successful period for the team winning both driver’s and constructor’s Formula One World Championships in 2005 and 2006.

In January 2007 Jon, along with former Renault F1 colleague Doug Cross, formed a new engineering company called Flybrid Automotive to develop high-speed flywheel based hybrid systems for automobile application. As Managing Director, Jon ran the company providing direction for all activities and with prime responsibility for commercial aspects of the business until January 2014, when Torotrak acquired the company. Jon now has a Non-Executive role as Deputy Chairman of the parent company.

Jon succeeds Professor Richard Folkson, who became President in May 2015.