Cathy McClay elected as fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering


National Grid System Operator’s (SO) Dr Cathy McClay FREng has been elected as a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in recognition of her outstanding and continuing contribution to the profession.

Cathy joined National Grid SO in 2015 and has led teams across the SO’s Commercial and Future Markets divisions, guiding the transformation to a more sustainable energy system at the same time as continuing to ensure the delivery of reliable, affordable energy for consumers.

She has over 15 years’ experience in the energy industry and prior to joining National Grid SO worked for a number of energy companies in the UK, France and the Netherlands, specialising in modelling and strategy.  She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Imperial College London and a PhD from St John’s College, Cambridge in the mathematical modelling of induction motors.

Cathy joins 1,600 eminent engineers as Fellows, with members from both industry and academia, the UK and across and the world, and will be formally admitted at the Academy’s AGM in London on Monday 30 September.

Dr Cathy McClay FREng said:

“It is truly an honour to become a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and I am proud to join such an esteemed community of inspiring engineers. It’s been fantastic to work in the energy sector at a time of such transformation and understanding what these changes mean, both now and for the future, is more important than ever. This recognition would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the many colleagues with whom I have had the privilege to work with during my career.”

Fintan Slye, Director of National Grid System Operator said:

“I am delighted to see Cathy recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering. She is an outstanding engineer whose work has made a real difference in delivering the future energy markets that Great Britain needs, and on behalf of all my colleagues at National Grid System Operator I would like to congratulate her on this great achievement.”

Professor Dame Ann Dowling, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

“Our Fellows are at the heart of all Academy activities and I am delighted to welcome these highly successful, creative and inspiring engineering leaders to the Fellowship. There has never been a more important time for the Academy to advance and promote excellence in engineering so that the engineering profession can continue to contribute to societal wellbeing and economic growth.”

For more information on the Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship please click here.