Loughborough honours five new Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering

The Hazelrigg Building with a bright blue sky behind a tree in front with autumnal orange leaves

Loughborough University is celebrating the election of five new Fellows to the Royal Academy of Engineering – three distinguished academics and two successful alumni – strengthening the University’s standing as a national leader in engineering excellence.

The new Fellows are: 

  • Professor Malcolm Cook, Dean of the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering 
  • Professor Rajkumar Roy, Dean of the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering 
  • Professor John Moran, Professor of Practice in Combustion Technology in the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering 
  • Dr Daniel Elford, Loughborough alumnus and founder of the University spinout Sonobex

  • Chetan Kotur, Loughborough alumnus and Head of Technology and Innovation at Laing O’Rourke 

Being elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering is among the most prestigious honours in the profession, awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to engineering and technology. Fellows are drawn from across academia and industry – from energy and defence to emerging materials – and are recognised for pioneering innovation, shaping national policy, and advancing public understanding of engineering. 

The new Fellows will be formally admitted at a ceremony in London on 18 November, where each will sign the Academy’s historic Roll Book. As members, they will contribute their expertise to the Academy’s mission to “engineer a better world.” 

Speaking about Loughborough’s new Fellows, the University’s Vice-Chancellor – and Vice President for Fellowship Engagement at the Academy – Professor Nick Jennings CB FREng FRS said: “Election to the Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship is a tremendous honour and reflects the exceptional impact these individuals have made in their fields. I am delighted to congratulate Loughborough’s newest Fellows on this remarkable achievement.” 

Sir John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, added: “As we approach our 50th anniversary next year it’s a good time to reflect on how much we have achieved. The Academy is built on the foundation of our Fellowship, and that remains as true today as half a century ago. Our story began as a ‘Fellowship of Engineering’ of 130 Fellows including such pioneers as Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, Lord Hinton of Bankside and Sir Ove Arup, driven by the support of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. 

“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.”