Directors

Yasmin Becker: CEO

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Yasmin joins the Institution of Structural Engineers having successfully led the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK since 2017 where she established its strategy and directed domestic and global operations.

With an extensive career spanning the private, public and charity sectors, Yasmin possesses a wealth of experience in developing strategies, growing international partnerships, and delivering complex transformations across multiple organisations.

She has held senior leadership roles within the health sector as well as holding trustee and non-executive roles and is currently a non-executive director for South Warwickshire University NHS Trust.

Yasmin is an alumna of Warwick University and London Business School. Her passion for continuous learning has seen her gain a Master’s in English Literature, a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), and she soon hopes to receive her Doctorate in Digital Transformation. Yasmin also mentors mid-to senior level professionals through her alumni network.

You can read more about Yasmin in this introductory profile piece in The Structural Engineer magazine. 

Darren Byrne: Deputy CE, Membership and Education Services Director

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Darren joined the Institution in November 1999, following almost five years with the Institution of Civil Engineers.

During his extensive involvement with professional engineering institutions Darren has gained experience in all aspects of the professional membership qualifying process, from academic qualifications through to initial professional development (IPD) and finally the professional review. 

He was appointed Director of Membership and Education in February 2008, and Deputy Chief Executive in January 2017.

During this time Darren has overseen the operation of the Membership and Education Directorate, from careers and accreditation activities to the Professional Review and CPD.

Darren has supported the Chief Executive in the development of membership and education policies and specifically the introduction of new, more accessible and inclusive, routes to membership

Darren, with his team, continues to develop resources and initiatives to better support members, throughout the world, in developing competence.

                           Silvia Pilotto: Digital, Data & Technology Director

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Silvia is an experienced digital strategist committed to putting digital transformation at the heart of the Institution’s corporate strategy.

She is passionate about the appliance of technology to improve people’s lives and the good of the environment, believing in its transformative power to make a difference daily. 

Silvia has fifteen years’ experience working as a senior digital strategist in the not-for profit sector, after previous roles at World Animal Protection (where she lead a global team based in 15 countries) and at Barnardo’s (whose website ranked among the eight most successful in the community-humanitarian industry during her tenure).

Originally from Italy, Silvia has lived and worked for many years in Ireland and Portugal before settling in the UK with her husband, Paul.

                                   Stephen Martin: Finance Director 
 

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Stephen is an experienced finance professional committed to a collaborative approach to financial management, using technology to improve people’s experience of their control financial control.
 
Stephen is an FCA with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales having trained as an accountant and auditor with PwC.

He has a passion for the not-for-profit and membership sectors with thirteen years experience in different finance roles at small to medium-sized organisations in these sectors. Most recently he was Finance Director of Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs), which is a world-leading independent policy institute and membership body. 

His particular expertise relates to financial management in the not-for-profit sector including VAT at charities and charity funds and reserves accounting. 

                               Sunita Dhawan: Product & Events Director 

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Sunita joined the Institution of Structural Engineers following leadership roles at the Law Society of England & Wales and the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries, where she was responsible for driving revenue growth through professional development training, events, publishing, venue hire, and accreditations.
 
With 30 years of experience working in not-for-profit membership organisations across the UK and US, Sunita brings extensive expertise in commercial operations, negotiation, strategy, business planning, financial management, and coaching. She is particularly passionate about team development and is dedicated to coaching individuals to achieve high performance.

Sunita holds degrees from Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School.