Hilary has been Chief Executive at EngineeringUK for five years, leading the organisation in its mission to meet future workforce needs by enabling more young people from all backgrounds to be inspired, informed and progress into engineering and technology.

EngineeringUK leads collaborative work across hundreds of organisations to improve the impact of engineering and tech engagement, building an evidence base to support these efforts and advocating for policy improvements in STEM education. EngineeringUK also works directly with young people, including through the Big Bang Fair.

Prior to joining EngineeringUK, Hilary was Head of Education and Learning at Wellcome, building up a team to improve science education through research, advocacy, funding and direct interventions and establishing the Wellcome Global Monitor. Hilary has also been Assistant and Acting Director at Campaign for Science & Engineering, working on a breadth of policy issues including: education and skills; support for R&D; and the use of scientific evidence in policy making. She has an academic background in neuroscience and psychology, exploring early cognitive and language development and developmental disabilities. She was also a governor of a 5-16 comprehensive school for many years.