Marguerite Sayers, executive director of customer solutions at ESB, has been inaugurated as the 127th president of Engineers Ireland at the organisation’s annual general meeting which was held on May 30, 2019. Sayers is a fellow of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland and has been a member of Engineers Ireland’s council and executive committees for the past seven years. She is a graduate of University College Cork (1991) and holds a BE in electrical/electronic engineering. "I have attended several Engineers Ireland AGMs over the years and have heard – without exception - the incoming president speak about what an honour it is to be selected as president of such a historic organisation of the size and stature of Engineers Ireland, which now has almost 26,000 members," said Sayers. "And it certainly is an honour of which I am very aware. Thank you sincerely for the privilege of being your president for the next 12 months.

'Promote concept of a career as a professional engineer'


"As I mentioned at my inauguration on May 30, there are a number of areas on which I would like to focus. I would like to do some work to promote the concept of a career as a professional engineer, particularly engaging with career guidance counsellors given their influence on career choice. "Related to this is also progressing the outcome on the recent review of regulation of the profession following the great work done by the working groups in the last number of months. "For an institution that is more than 180 years old, tradition is extremely important. However, progressing with the times is also important. And looking back over history, the institution has changed many times in the past. "We have made great strides and I would like to further explore (including engaging with sister organisations in other countries, third level institutions, students and our corporate partners), if there are other changes or modernisations that we need or could put in place. I believe this is important to ensure that we stay relevant to new entrants to the profession.

'Provide a recognised expert voice and opinion on key topics like climate change and engineering standards'


"I would also like to ensure that we continue to provide a recognised expert voice and opinion on important topics such as climate change and engineering standards, and to ensure that the public and decision-makers are informed by the profession rather than less informed sources. "I look forward to meeting you, our members, over the course of this year. I will rely on your support and equally, if there is anything I can do for you over the coming months, please do get in touch." [caption id="attachment_50533" align="alignright" width="360"] Engineers Ireland president 2019-2020 Marguerite Sayers.[/caption] Sayers has worked in various managerial positions and locations throughout Ireland with ESB since graduating, including senior roles in HR, customer services and asset management and she also managed ESB’s Generation portfolio for a period of time.

Leads energy retail company Electric Ireland


In her current customer solutions role, she leads the energy retail company Electric Ireland, and is also responsible for ESB’s Telecoms, E-Cars, and Smart Energy Services businesses, which deliver low-carbon products and services to customers in Ireland and the UK. At the event, held in the organisation’s headquarters at 22 Clyde Road, Professor Orla Feely was also inaugurated as vice-president of the organisation. Prof Feely is vice-president for research, innovation and impact and a professor of electronic engineering at University College Dublin (UCD). She holds a BE degree from UCD and MS and PhD degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, where her PhD thesis won the DJ Sakrison Memorial Prize for outstanding and innovative research. [caption id="attachment_50755" align="alignright" width="360"] L-R: Vice-president Prof Orla Feely, former president Peter Quinn, incumbent president Marguerite Sayers and vice-president Maurice Buckley.[/caption] Prof Feely is a member of the Royal Irish Academy and a Fellow of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineering. She has served as chair of the Irish Research Council, the EU Advisory Group on Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions, and the IEEE Technical Committee on Nonlinear Circuits and Systems, and as a member of a number of editorial boards. She is a director of the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition and a member of the Higher Education Authority. Prof Feely became a fellow of Engineers Ireland by presidential invitation in 2012.