NMITE has appointed Dr Richard Lillington, as Professor in Engineering and its first Head of Learning and Teaching, marking a key milestone in shaping the institution’s academic growth and strategic direction. He joins NMITE this month (January 2026) from Aston University, where he served as Senior Teaching Fellow in the College of Engineering and Physics. Prior to this, he led teaching in Mechanical Engineering at Warwick University.
Before his academic career, Professor Lillington spent many years in the aerospace and automotive sectors, and it is this blend of academic and real-world engineering leadership that has led to his appointment at NMITE.
Explaining his decision to join the institution, Professor Lillington says: “NMITE is a trailblazer, and I am delighted to be joining an institution that is proving that engineering education can be done better. I believe 100% in the transformational power of education. Universities produce amazing engineers but sometimes they are not as confident or hands on as they could be – great at maths but not at solving real-world problems. This is where NMITE comes in and I look forward to playing a part in its future plans.”
The Head of Learning and Teaching is a senior leadership position within the university, responsible for improving and overseeing the quality of education, curriculum development, and assessment. The role encompasses leading teaching staff, implementing educational strategy, and ensuring high academic standards.
At NMITE, Professor Lillington will focus on ensuring continuous improvement — a mindset embedded in NMITE’s DNA — and will play a central role in maintaining and advancing academic standards to ensure the institution’s teaching remains relevant, responsive, and future-focused.
James Newby, President & CEO of NMITE, welcomed the appointment: “While Richard’s focus will be on supporting our academic team to deliver the best job they can do, the ultimate beneficiaries will be our students. He brings with him many years of leadership experience in both academia and industry, and is a passionate advocate of authentic, hands-on engineering education that equips graduates for their future careers. He understands our model and passionately believes in what we are delivering.”
Professor Lillington is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and a Principal Fellow, and active member, of the Higher Education Academy.