Georgia Elliott-Smith selected as chair of Engineers without Borders UK

Engineers Without Borders UK has announced the appointment of Georgia Elliott-Smith as its incoming chair, in an effort to bridge education and industry for more sustainable engineering leadership.

Elliott-Smith is a distinguished environmental engineer and sustainability leader, who brings over two decades of experience in ESG, consultancy, and industry, with a particular focus on hard-to-decarbonise sectors.

She holds a BEng in Environmental Engineering and is a founding member of the environmental non-profit, Fighting Dirty, alongside journalist George Monbiot. Her career spans environmental activism, corporate sustainability, and industry leadership, making her uniquely positioned to guide Engineers Without Borders UK in its mission to embed responsible engineering at every level of the profession.

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Elliott-Smith’s vision as Chair is to bridge the persistent gap between engineering education and professional practice.

“Young people are passionate about the environment and making the world a better place, but that enthusiasm is often stifled once they enter the workplace,” she explains. “To find lasting solutions to challenges like climate change and social injustice, we must ensure responsible engineering practices are integrated from education through to employment,” commented Elliott-Smith in a statement.

She highlights the need for systemic change within the sector, drawing on her own experiences across construction, asset investment, and activism. “There is a significant opportunity to influence the professional community more. My goal is to give a voice to the wishes and frustrations of many engineers in industry who don’t yet feel able to speak out on sustainability issues.”

John Kraus, CEO of Engineers Without Borders UK, welcomes Elliott-Smith’s appointment, noting that it marks an exciting new chapter for the organisation.

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“Georgia’s bold leadership, deep sector expertise, and long-standing commitment to environmental and social justice will strengthen our ability to drive systemic change. Georgia understands the realities of both industry and activism, and she brings the clarity and conviction needed to unite engineers across sectors in the urgent task of building a more sustainable and equitable future.”

Under Elliott-Smith’s leadership, Engineers Without Borders UK will continue to provide a collaborative space for responsible engineering, supporting the implementation of practical, sustainable, and just solutions.

Engineers Without Borders UK are part of a global movement of over 30 Engineers Without Borders organisations.

Engineers Without Borders UK began in 2001, when a group of university students at the University of Cambridge were inspired to rethink the role of engineering in addressing global challenges. Officially becoming a registered charity in 2004, it grew from volunteer-led initiatives to a professional organisation delivering pro-bono engineering projects around the world — improving access to clean water, sanitation, energy, and infrastructure.

Today, the charity is focused on enabling systemic change across education and industry so that engineering serves all people and the planet.