In episode 8 of The Industry Wave, we sit down with our first ever female President, Aine Finlayson, as she reflects on her six-year journey as part of the Scottish Engineering Presidential Committee as it comes to an end. From her early days as a science‑driven student in County Down to a career that has taken her across Europe and ultimately to her role as Chief Operating Officer at Peak Scientific, Aine reflects on the experiences, mentors, and moments of curiosity that shaped her path into engineering and leadership.

Join us as we explore the realities facing Scotland's engineering and manufacturing sector today, from the persistent skills challenge to the rapidly changing blend of talent now required across engineering, software, automation, and supply chain. Aine shares how confidence, collaboration, and the willingness to say “yes” at pivotal moments have influenced her career — including reconnecting with the teacher who first recognised her potential. This conversation offers an honest look at resilience, growth, and the responsibilities of modern engineering leadership, marking the legacy of Scottish Engineering’s 88th President.

In episode 7 of The Industry Wave, we sit down with a second-generation leader of Whittaker Engineering Murray Whittaker to explore the intersection of family legacy, innovation, and the future of Scottish engineering. Growing up around the family business didn’t mean an easy path—instead, real-world experience and an apprenticeship shaped both perspective and work ethic.

We discuss the unique advantages and challenges of working closely with family in a sector rooted in tradition, while also examining how rapid changes in the energy transition are influencing precision engineering. From emerging technologies with the potential to transform the industry to strategies for inspiring the next generation of engineers in Scotland, this conversation sheds light on both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with leading a family business in a time of change.

In this episode 6 of The Industry Wave, My guest today is Dr. Ollie Folayan, MBE, Head of Process Engineering at Costain Group and co-founder of AFBE-UK. With a long and distinguished academic journey—beginning with his Bachelor of Engineering in 1999, a PhD in 2002, and culminating in his role as a Fellow and Vice Chair of the Institution of Chemical Engineers—Dr. Ali brings a wealth of expertise and insight to the conversation.

In this episode, we dive into his inspiring journey as a chemical process engineer whose early passion for fuels and combustion sparked a remarkable career in energy and innovation. We explore the role of mentors and family influences, including the shared impact of his sister, Dr. Nike Folayan, in championing diversity within engineering.

From founding AFBE-UK—an organisation built from the ground up to support ethnic minority engineers—to launching outreach programmes like Making Engineering Hot and NextGen (Scotland), Dr. Ali shares both the challenges and triumphs of building initiatives that open doors for the next generation.