Engineer, broadcaster and STEM champion awarded Honorary Fellowship

September 2026

By Melanie Hall

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An award-winning engineer who has appeared on the BBC's The One Show while inspiring thousands of young people to pursue careers in STEM has been awarded an Honorary Professorship and Fellowship at this year's graduation.

Yewande Akinola MBE, EMEA Technical Director at CBRE Global Workplace Solutions, was recognised for her outstanding contribution to engineering, sustainability and education, as well as her commitment to opening doors for the next generation of innovators.

An internationally-recognised Chartered Engineer, innovator and educator, Yewande has built an impressive global career spanning engineering design, infrastructure development and sustainability projects across the UK, Africa, the Middle East and East Asia.

Through her work, she has helped deliver projects that have created lasting impact across communities around the world.

Her achievements have earned recognition throughout the engineering profession.

In 2012, she was named the UK's Young Woman Engineer of the Year by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), later going on to serve as the organisation's Vice President.

She was also included in the Financial Times' list of the 100 most influential engineers in Europe in 2019.

Alongside her engineering career, Yewande has become one of the UK's most visible champions for STEM.

Through public speaking, media work and television appearances, she has used her platform to show how engineering can improve lives, solve global challenges and create a more sustainable future.

A passionate advocate for widening participation in science, technology, engineering and maths, Yewande has inspired thousands of young people, particularly women and those from underrepresented backgrounds, to consider careers in engineering and technology.

Throughout her career, she has worked to challenge stereotypes, break down barriers and create opportunities for aspiring engineers.

In recognition of her impact, she was awarded an MBE in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to engineering innovation and diversity in STEM.

Yewande continues to support the next generation through a range of educational and leadership roles.

She serves on the governing body of the University of Warwick and as a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at the University of Westminster, and is a trustee of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation, which celebrates engineering innovations that benefit humanity and inspires future engineers.

She has also worked alongside University College Birmingham Deputy Vice-Chancellor Rosa Wells to support events showcasing best practice in Higher Technical Education.

Through this work, she has helped encourage experienced engineers and industry professionals to bring their expertise into Further Education teaching, helping students develop the skills employers need.

Awarding Yewande an Honorary Professorship and Fellowship recognises not only her outstanding professional achievements, but also her dedication to making engineering more accessible, inclusive and inspiring for future generations.

"I am deeply honoured to be awarded an Honorary Professorship and Fellowship from University College Birmingham. This recognition is particularly meaningful because UCB plays such a significant role in developing the technical talent and professional expertise that our industries depend upon."

She said that throughout her career, she had been passionate about creating opportunities and helping to build technical capability across the built environment sector.

"From design and engineering through construction, building maintenance and long-term operations, our industry needs a new generation of skilled professionals who are equipped to address the challenges of a rapidly changing world."

"This appointment reinforces my commitment to inspiring, mentoring, and supporting future talent.

"Looking ahead, I want to help strengthen the pathways between education and industry, champion greater diversity within technical careers and work with academic institutions and employers to develop the skills needed for a more sustainable, innovative, and resilient built environment.

"I see this honour not only as recognition of what has been achieved so far, but as an opportunity to do even more. Together, we can empower the next generation of technical leaders who will shape the places where we live, work, and thrive."