Dr. Mark McBride-Wright MBE, CEng, MIChemE, FIChemE, FEI is a distinguished leader in diversity and inclusion within the engineering sector. Recognised for his significant contributions, he received the prestigious Rooke Award from the Royal Academy of Engineering in July 2022 and an MBE in June 2023 for services to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. A Visiting Professor of Inclusive Engineering Leadership at University College London, Mark brings an academic rigour to his work that complements his professional endeavours.

As the Founder and Managing Director of EqualEngineers, Mark has been instrumental in connecting over 10,000 diverse job seekers with more than 100 inclusive employers through over 50 Engineering & Technology career fairs since 2017. His initiatives include the founding of the Equality in Engineering conference and the Engineering Talent Awards, as well as pioneering the Masculinity in Engineering research theme, all aimed at fostering significant positive changes in organisational culture. EqualEngineers also offers extensive training programmes for engineers at all levels, with notable clients such as EDF Energy, SSE, and GKN Aerospace.

Additionally, Mark co-founded InterEngineering, a cross-industry network that supports LGBTQ+ engineers and allies, enhancing his impact on the engineering community. His advocacy has earned him multiple accolades, including the following:

• Recipient of 2022 Rooke Award, Royal Academy of Engineering
• Winner 2016 “Corporate Rising Star” British LGBT Awards
• #2 in 2015 Financial Times Future LGBT Leaders list (#6 2016)
• Shortlisted, “Young Chemical Engineer in Industry”, 2016 IChemE Global Awards
• InterEngineering, “Highly Commended” at 2015 Inclusive Networks Awards
• InterEngineering, Shortlisted for “LGBT Community Group of the Year”, 2016 National Diversity Awards
• InterEngineering, Shortlisted “Corporate Equality Award”, 2016 PinkNews Awards

Fayon Dixon is a broadcaster, host and facilitator who has remained committed to the motivation and inspiration of others over 15 years of projects. Her versatility in presenting includes LIVE events, TV broadcasts, STEM networking events, online seminars and virtual hybrid hosting. An advocate for equality and diversity in engineering careers, Fayon has worked on a number of projects with EqualEngineers and is now a permanent member of the team as our Engagement Manager.

Fayon keeps a hand in broadcasting as a newspaper reviewer on Talk Radio, and weekly contributor across BBC local radio stations, motivating the nation with her ‘Winning Over Wednesday’ feature. Fayon is the proud creator, host and producer of the award-winning ‘The Kids Are Alright Show’ on Riverside Radio, and co-facilitator of a radio club for local teens to develop their confidence and learn skills to achieve an accreditation in radio production.

Fayon has delivered workshops in schools across the UK which encourage creative learning techniques. Over this time, she has also been a reader and workshop leader to stroke survivors in hospitals and in the community, supporting them to regain their voices and confidence.

Elio López Vega is a skilled Digital Media Lead at EqualEngineers, bringing a wealth of expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud and various other design software. With a solid academic background, Elio earned a BA(Hons) in Film Production with first-class honours from the University of Portsmouth, followed by a Master’s degree in Editing and Postproduction from The Core School in Madrid. His educational journey has equipped him with a deep understanding of visual storytelling and digital content creation.

At EqualEngineers, Elio is responsible for overseeing the digital landscape of the company. His role encompasses a broad range of duties including spearheading marketing campaigns, managing social media strategies, and maintaining the company website. Elio’s creativity is not just confined to the digital realm; he also leads videography and photography at company events, ensuring high-quality media production that aligns with the brand’s values and mission.

Elio’s commitment to excellence in digital media has significantly enhanced EqualEngineers’ online presence, driving engagement and enhancing user experience across all digital platforms. His ability to blend technical skills with creative execution makes him a key player in the ongoing success of EqualEngineers’ digital initiatives.