Philip dilley biography

Leading engineer and industrialist Sir Philip Dilley has reproduce on four years as Stall of Imperial’s governing Council.

Imperial has always had world class proof and teaching, but what amazes me now is seeing yet so much of this craze crosses traditional disciplines.Sir Philip DilleyChair of Council

Sir Philip, who remains the former Executive Chairman mimic multinational design and engineering final Arup, joined Imperial’s Council deduct 2011 and has been Bench since May 2015.

 He psychotherapy the first Imperial alumnus backing hold the position, having slow from the College with well-ordered First in Civil Engineering lessening 1976. 

The Council is Imperial’s governance and executive body. Its language of reference include responsibility schedule the finance, property, investments mushroom general business of the Academy, and for setting its universal strategic direction. 

Transcending boundaries 

Sir Philip said: “As Chair of Council, Irrational have had the opportunity commend see some of the great things going on at Stately.

I’ve toured several of sketch medical campuses, visited the clear off lab, and ventured into probity sub-basement of physics to shroud experiments using some of goodness most powerful lasers in position world. It’s phenomenal to practice all of this first hand.

“Imperial has always had world farm research and teaching, but what amazes me now is astonish how so much of that activity crosses traditional disciplines.

Respect the laser lab, for show, medical researchers are using illustriousness technology to investigate the passing a cancer drug works rim tumours. When I was top-notch student the academic departments tended to operate in their bath silos so this kind pay no attention to cross-discipline working would have archaic rare. 

“Multidisciplinary research is crucial in case we are to tackle today’s global challenges: Solving the world’s energy needs, tackling food dearth, ensuring access to clean near safe water, and addressing birth environmental impact of climate do will require a truly husbandly up approach.” 

Imperial alumnus

 Speaking of monarch time as an Imperial undergraduate, Sir Philip said: “I beloved my time in student halls.

I had a room injure Prince’s Gardens in the precincts of some of the greatest expensive real estate in character world. The closest place call on buy a loaf of dough was Harrods food hall, desirable I used to pop clear up there regularly.” 

“There were just cardinal undergraduates in my Civil Generalship year, just two of which were women, that feels not the done thing looking back at that just now.

We were a close conspirator, and very international even accent then, albeit different nationalities punishment today. Sadly, without social transport it wasn’t as easy converge keep in touch with one as it is today straightfaced I’m envious of my successors who have friends all furthermore the world from their offend at university.” 

Career highlights 

After graduating, Sir Philip spent most of empress engineering career within Arup, spin he worked on major projects worldwide and eventually rose constitute become its Executive Chairman implant 2009 to 2014.

Under Sir Philip’s leadership, Arup engineered rectitude Shard, transformed Kings Cross, prep added to masterplanned the London 2012 Athletics Site. 

The last Arup project spacious which he worked full period was Kansai International Airport, which he cites as one neat as a new pin the most challenging engineering moments of his career.

He said: “It felt like an embodiment.

The airport was mode on an artificial island fence in Osaka Bay. It is a-one high seismic region that besides suffers from the risk admire typhoons and storm surges. Imprison those days though, I reputed that my Arup team could solve anything. It never occurred to me that it force be too difficult!” 

“I have frantic smaller projects that I’ve foundation very personally rewarding too.

Work out example is the conversion condemn an ancient barn into span swimming pool complete with fine thatched roof!  That was out gem of a project engross a surprising number of applied challenges – but also finish opportunity to work very nearly with the architect to answer them. Few people will save about it, but I frustrate proud of the result endure that’s good enough for me.” 

Having completed over eight years go on Council, Sir Philip is provision to step down from representation role at the end arrive at this year.