IET: Telecommunications expert recognised in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours

A business leader with a career spanning 37 years in electronics and telecommunications has today been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen in her Birthday Honours list.

Dr Mike Short, President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Vice President at Telefónica Europe plc becomes a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Mike said: “It is a great honour to receive this personally for my contribution to the mobile industry even though many others have played such a great role.

“I am particularly pleased that it helps highlight how much mobile innovation and investment has done for society, skills and services. This is a truly great year to receive my medal after 25 years in the mobile industry and only 20 years since the first digital mobile phone was approved for connection to mobile networks.”

As President of the IET, Mike oversees an organisation of 150,000 members across 127 countries as well as being an ambassador for the engineering and technology profession. The role of IET President is a voluntary one lasting for 12 months.

After working for Philips, Landis & Gyr and BT, he joined Cellnet in 1989, now known as O2 and part of Telefonica Group.

In his current role of Vice President of Public Affairs for Telefonica Europe, Mike’s focus is on European public policy that relates to innovation; including research, the responsible use of mobiles and new business development.

He is a past Chairman of the Global GSM Association, the UK Mobile Data Association, and has served on several boards, task forces and government advisory committees.

Currently a visiting professor at a number of UK universities, Mike was also awarded an honorary doctorate for services to the mobile communications industry in 2008 – the same year he joined the IET’s Board of Trustees.

Ends

Notes to editors:
§ Dr Mike Short’s biography is available here.

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The IET is Europe’s largest professional body of engineers with over 150,000 members in 127 countries.
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