John Leeson retires after 45 years service to the Sheffield Centre

John Leeson retired from his role as Schools Liaison at the end of the last session after 45 years of service to the Centre. John joined the IEE as a student in November 1944, some six months after joining the Royal Air Force.

He transferred to Associate Membership in 1950 and commenced his long association with the Centre when he agreed to serve as a member of the North Midland Student Section in March 1951, becoming its Chairman in 1954. He gained full membership in 1960 and served as Assistant Honorary Secretary to the Sheffield sub-Centre until 1963.

In February 1965 he became a committee member of the North Midland Power Section, serving as its Chairman for the 1970/71 session. John returned in 1997 to serve on the committee of the newly formed Sheffield Centre.

In January 1979 he took on the role of Assistant Schools Liaison Officer to Charles Cooksley, taking on the full responsibilities in May of that year.

John transferred to the status of Fellow in October 1980 and received his IEE 50-Year Award in October 1993.

Between September 1976 and 1997 John served as a member of the 'Yorkshire and Humberside CEI', the 'Yorkshire Region of the Engineering Council' and the 'Yorkshire and Humberside PEI'.

It is evident that John has had a varied and productive involvement with the IEE, however his 20 years service as Schools Liaison Officer (making him the longest serving SLO within the IEE) must be his finest achievement.

The Centre Committee wishes John well in his well-deserved "retirement", although his services might still be required from time to time!