Committee Profile

Michael Gornall CEng MIET FIMechE  - Chair

Mike is a Chartered Engineer and has been a member of the IMechE for over 30 years and is now a Fellow. He is also a member of the IET, FEANI registered as Eur Eng and a member of Lincoln’s Inn. He was a technician apprentice at British Aerospace in Preston, Lancashire. He did a degree in Engineering at Manchester Polytechnic (now Manchester Metropolitan) and joined the graduate training scheme at AWE Aldermaston. He has since worked in the water industry, on car production infrastructure, on defence projects, in civil nuclear, on light rail systems, oil & gas and other infrastructure projects. He now works for Babcock in Devonport dockyard as a Design Manager. As Chair for the Devon and Cornwall branch, he is responsible for the operations of the local committee. In his spare time Mike practices Judo at which he is a black belt, he enjoys cycling, skiing, sailing and is a Scout leader.

Contact Michael at Michael.Gornall@member.imeche.org

Jack Mason EngTech MIMechE - Vice-Chair & Secretary

Jack is the Committee's Vice-Chair and Secretary. He is also the Young Member's Board Representative for the Western Region. He has been a member of the Devon and Cornwall Committee since 2018, when joining as the Young Members Representative. He is a Graduate Mechanical Engineering at Babcock International Group at Devonport Royal Dockyard, where he previously undertook a Industrial Placement Year and a Summer Placement. He graduated with a MEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Plymouth.

Jack's roles include running and organising of committee activities, committee administration duties and managing of the social media platforms and website. Jack is enthusiastic about engineering and the development of others. 

Contact Jack at Jack.Mason@member.imeche.org 

Helen Timpson CEng MIMechE - Treasurer

Helen has been involved with the committee since 2015 and has held various roles since then. Helen returned to the main committee in 2022 having been a support member for 2 years. Helen works for an engineering company in Plymouth, has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering and was awarded Chartership in 2020. She enjoys hill walking, sailing and rugby and is renovating her house with her partner. 

Contact Helen at Helen.Timpson@member.imeche.org

David Cowan CEng MIMechE FEI - Events Coordinator

David is a Chartered Engineer, Member of the IMechE and a Fellow of the Energy Institute. Recently retired from a career in the waste management, environmental engineering, as well as the oil and gas sector. David has led teams that have managed complex engineering projects in the waste management industry including energy from waste facilities to recycle waste as well as treating organic food / green waste.

Matt McAuley AMIMechE - Cardboard Boat Race Coordinator

Matt joined the committee in 2019 as a support members and got involved with the committee, helping on a number of events and supporting us with ideas. In 2022, Matt became the committee's Cardboard Boat Race Coordinator, organising the event each year in Plymouth.

Alex Dobbins AMIMechE - Young Member Representative

Alex is originally from Bath and graduated from Swansea University in 2022 with an MEng in Aerospace Engineering. After graduating, Alex did a summer internship at ZeroAvia, responsible for designing and manufacturing components for the 19-seat testbed aircraft; the largest aircraft ever flown with a hydrogen-electric engine. In late 2022, he relocated to Plymouth and began a new chapter as a Graduate Systems Engineer at Babcock International with the opportunity to contribute to a diverse range of Babcock’s esteemed projects. Alex is eager to advocate for the IMechE within Devon & Cornwall’s growing engineering community and is committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment for fellow engineers.

Andy Wasson EngTech MIMechE - STEM Coordinator

Andy joined the committee in 2023 as a Support Member. He has since worked to become a STEM Ambassador and is now one of the Committee's STEM Coordinators. Andy is an experienced engineering surveyor with a specialism in intermediate steam boiler examinations. Previously a ex-RAF C-130 technician.

Rinkal Vadher EngTech MIMechE - STEM Coordinator

Riva is one of the Committee's STEM Coordinators. She recently graduated from the University of Exeter with a MSc in Engineering Business Management, having complete a BEng in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Brunel University. Riva now works as a Quality Lineside Technician at Fine Tubes (AMETEK Specialty Metal Products), in Plymouth. Riva is also a private pilot.

Cornwall Representative

We currently have an opening for Cornwall Representative. We recognise we are not as active within regions of Cornwall as we are elsewhere within our Area, which is something we want to change. We are looking for a Committee Representative based in Cornwall, who can help us link with companies, members and engineering projects within Cornwall. 

Social Secretary

Are you passionate about fostering connections and creating memorable experiences? We're on the lookout for a vibrant individual to take on the role of Social Secretary for the IMechE Devon and Cornwall Area Committee!

As our Social Secretary, you'll be the driving force behind organising engaging social events that bring together our esteemed members and enthusiastic community. Whether its organising networking evenings, quizzes, or get togethers.

If you are interested in this position then contact Jack.Mason@member.imeche.org.

Conor Kelly AMIMechE - Events Coordinator

Conor is originally form Northern Ireland and Graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 2018 with an MEng in Mechanical Engineering. He completed a placement year with a materials processing and recycling company in Northern Ireland. After graduating, he briefly returned to the same company as a Graduate Project Design Engineer before living and working in Australia for approximately 18 months. He joined Babcock International Group’s Graduate Scheme in 2020 as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, before becoming a Senior Project Engineer. In his spare time he enjoys rock climbing, kayaking, and playing football.

Contact Conor at Conor.Kelly@member.imeche.org

Ian Myers CEng FIMechE ChPP MAPM- Support Member

Ian graduated from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in 2015 with a 1st Class MEng in Motorsports Engineering, winning numerous accolades including the IMechE Frederic Barnes Waldron best student award. He currently works for one of the UK’s largest engineering support service providers as a Nuclear Facilities Project Manager. Ian enjoys complex engineering with a keen interest in composites, nuclear power and fluid dynamics. Ian joined the committee in 2016 as the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Coordinator and held roles as Vice Chair and Secretary. He hopes to improve the committees communications footprint with the local professional network. Ian’s hobbies include mountain biking, karting, football, rock-climbing and most recently surfing. Ian also took part in Formula Student leading the design and manufacture of a carbon fibre monocoque which he was a driver for the event.

Ashley Cullum - Support Member

Ash is a Graduate Naval Architect at Babcock International Group at Devonport Royal Dockyard. He graduated from the University of Plymouth with a BEng in Marine Technology. He undertook a Industrial Placement year and a summer placement at Babcock during his studies. Ash joined the committee in 2021 to organise the Cardboard Boat Race and then the Committee's Young Member Representative in 2023. He is now a supporting member of the committee, assisting with his links to RINA.

Contact Ash at Ashley.Cullum@member.IMechE.org

Lewis Godiff CEng MIMechE - Support Member

Lewis is originally from Plymouth and studied at the University of the West of England Bristol, gaining a Master’s in degree Mechanical Engineering. He joined Babcock International on the Graduate scheme and now works as a Mechanical Design Engineer. In his spare time he enjoys exploring the outdoors, walking, kayaking and mountain biking.

Contact Lewis at Lewis.Godiff@member.imeche.org

Ben Roy AMIMechE - Support Member

Ben is originally from a small town in North Devon and studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of the West of England in Bristol. He joined Babcock International on a Graduate scheme and now works as a Mechanical Package Manager within a production team that refit Royal Navy Ships. In his spare time, he enjoys playing sports such as football, badminton and tennis.

 Contact Ben at Ben.Roy@member.imeche.org