Barry Dobson has been appointed as the new chairman of the Institution of Incorporated Engineers. From a radio and television apprenticeship, Dobson rapidly rose to be in charge of a workshop. Thirteen years followed with the pioneering British computer manufacturer ICL. He then decided to share his knowledge and experience with others, first as senior lecturer at Luton College of Higher Education and then as head of engineering technology at Stevenage College of Further Education. In 1992, he moved to North Hertfordshire College as head of engineering, science and technology and subsequently completed his educational career there as a director of NHC.
Dobson has always been active in the professional engineering world,working tirelessly to encourage young people to become properly qualified and to gain recognition for their expertise. He has chaired numerous IIE committees and was previously the chairman of one of IIE's antecedent institutions. He has also been active with the regulatory body for the profession, the Engineering Council, EC(UK), representing the United Kingdom and serving for some years as chairman of the two international committees, overseeing the mutual recognition of incorporated engineers and engineering technicians and their counterparts overseas.