Penny Endersby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Penny Endersby
CBE FREng HonFInstP
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| Chief Executive of the Met Office | |
| Assumed office December 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Rob Varley |
| Personal details | |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
Penelope Clare Endersby is a leading British scientist. She is known for her work in defense technology. Since December 2018, she has been the chief executive of the Met Office. This is the United Kingdom's national weather service. Before this, she led teams working on computer and information systems for defense.
Penny Endersby's Early Life and Education
Penny Endersby grew up in north London. She went to Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls. Later, she studied science at the University of Cambridge. She was a student at Newnham College there. She became very interested in how materials work, especially metals. A company called British Gas helped her with her studies. She researched special power sources called fuel cells. After finishing university in 1993, she joined a place that developed defense technology.
Her Work in Science and Leadership
Penny Endersby became an expert in defense technology. She worked on special types of armor and explosives. She was known as the UK's top expert in "electric and intelligent armours." These are advanced defense systems. In 2009, she became a manager at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. This is a government lab for defense science. She started to focus on computer safety and information systems.
She also teaches at two universities. She is a visiting professor at the University of Southampton. There she teaches computer science. She also teaches physics and environment studies at Exeter University. In 2015, she became the head of the Cyber and Information Systems team. This team works on keeping computer systems safe for defense.
In 2017, she joined the council of the Institute of Physics. This is a group for physicists. In December 2018, Penny Endersby became the chief executive of the Met Office. She was the very first woman to hold this important job. She also helped a group called Ploughshare Innovations. This group helps turn defense technology into useful things for everyone.
In 2021, she was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. This is a big honor for engineers. She also won a medal for her amazing work in green technology. This award came from the British Computer Society.
In 2024, she received a special award. She was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This was for her great contributions to weather science and defense technology.
Penny Endersby also represents the UK in global weather organizations. She is the UK's main person at the World Meteorological Organisation. She is also part of their main council. In 2023, she was chosen as president of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. She was the first woman to be president of this group too.
Penny Endersby's Personal Interests
Penny Endersby enjoys singing in a choir. She is also a "lay canon" at Exeter Cathedral. This means she has a special role there, connecting science and faith. She has two children. She loves wildlife and keeps records of natural events. For example, she notes when plants bloom or birds migrate. This is called phenology. She is also a trustee for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. This group helps protect wildlife in Wiltshire. She also leads the Dartmoor Steering Group.
