Katy Deacon

After completing her A-levels at Greenhead College, Deacon joined the British Airways Professional Engineering Programme as an avionics graduate apprentice. She gained an HND in Aeronautical Engineering at Perth College and a BEng (hons) degree in Transport Engineering at City University, London. She also completed a postgraduate degree in Information Governance and Assurance from Aberystwyth University. == Career ==

After completing her degree and apprenticeship with British Airways, Deacon transitioned to the building services sector due to difficulties in the aviation industry. before joining Kirklees Council, where she progressed through various engineering roles. The company connects the disabled community with the engineering industry and promotes inclusive engineering design principles. In 2024, Deacon was appointed as a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at both the University of Aston and the University of Huddersfield, specialising in Inclusive Engineering Design. At Huddersfield's School of Computing and Engineering, she contributes to curriculum development with a focus on inclusive design principles. Her academic work incorporates perspectives gained from her experience as a wheelchair user. == Awards and recognition ==

Deacon has received several prestigious awards throughout her career: • IIE Mary George Memorial Prize for outstanding UK engineering apprentice (2004) • Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 (2024), recognising her work as a disability changemaker and advocate for inclusive engineering design • Disability Personality of the Year at the Empowerment Awards (2025) == Personal life ==

In 2012, Deacon was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis (MS) and is a wheelchair user. She is married and has two children. == References ==