Leading electrochemical engineer named Imperial's Engineering Dean

Professor Nigel Brandon

Professor Nigel Brandon has been appointed Dean of Imperial College London's Faculty of Engineering.

Due to take up the role of Dean in October 2017, he will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, planning and coordination for the Faculty of Engineering, and for driving continuing excellence in research and education.   

Professor Brandon is currently the Director of Imperial’s Sustainable Gas Institute, a multidisciplinary institute which explores the environmental, economic and technological role of natural gas in low carbon energy systems. The institute drives research across key areas of sustainable energy research - including clean fossil fuels, low carbon transport and sustainable power.

A Professor of Sustainable Development in Energy, his research is focused on electrochemical power sources - such as fuel cells, electrolysers and batteries - for energy applications. 

Professor Brandon’s expertise is highly sought after by industry, having previously held positions at BP and Rolls Royce. He is a founder of Ceres Power, an AIM listed fuel cell company spun out from the College. 

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2008, and was awarded an OBE for services to UK-China science in 2011 for his work in developing collaborations between the UK and China in the areas of climate-change, energy, and environment. 

New opportunities

Professor James Stirling, Provost, said: “At a time of uncertainty and rapid change, society needs innovations in engineering more than ever. Our world leading Faculty of Engineering is developing solutions to some of the world’s most challenging problems and driving advances in energy security, climate change, clean and efficient transport and the challenges of an aging population. It is also training the next generation of science and engineering leaders. 

“Nigel has demonstrated exemplary leadership in his roles as Director of the Sustainable Gas Institute and Director of the Energy Futures Lab. He is the ideal person to lead the Faculty through this exciting next stage.” 

Professor Nigel Brandon said: “It is a tremendous privilege to be asked to lead the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London. Imperial has hugely talented staff and fantastic students, and I am looking forward to us all working together to realise the opportunities ahead in both teaching and research”.    

Ahead of taking up appointment Professor Brandon will be Dean-Elect from 1 August 2017. He succeeds Professor Jeff Magee, who has held the role of Dean since 2011. 

A College alumnus, Professor Brandon obtained his degree in 1981 and his PhD in 1984, both from Imperial. He rejoined Imperial as Senior Lecturer in 1998, becoming Professor of Sustainable Development in Energy in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering in 2004. He held the role of Director of the Energy Futures Lab from 2005-2014, and was the founder of it as a College global challenge institute in 2009. He has served as Vice Dean (Research) in the Faculty since May 2016, and is currently the BG Chair in Sustainable Gas