Professor Philip Ruffles CBE FREng FRS

Philip Ruffles is an aerospace engineer renowned for his work on the development and design of world-leading gas turbine engines. For much of his career, Philip worked at British aerospace company Rolls-Royce, where he served as Director of Engineering and Technology from 1997 to 2001.He was a Non-Executive director of Domino Printing Sciences (now owned by Brother Industries Ltd)  from 2002 to 2011.


During his time at Rolls-Royce, he was particularly influential in designing the RB211 and Trent engines, which have helped the company to retain its dominant position in the international marketplace. As an adviser to Bladon Microturbines, he contributed to the development of their ultra-efficient micro gas turbines.


Philip has won numerous awards for his work, including the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Gold Medal, the MacRobert Award and Prince Philip medal of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Made a CBE in 2001 for his services to the aerospace and defence industries, in 2011 he received the prestigious Glazebrook Medal from the Institute of Physics for fostering links between universities and industry.

Subject groups

  • Engineering and Materials Science

    Engineering, general, Engineering, mechanical, Engineering, aeronautical

Professor Philip Ruffles CBE FREng FRS
Elected 1998
Committees Participated Role
Industry Fellowships Joint Panel January 2017 - December 2019 Chair
Armourers & Brasiers' Company Prize Committee January 2016 - December 2021 Member
Nominations Committee June 2012 - December 2014 Member
Hooke Committee January 2012 - December 2014 Member
Council December 2009 - November 2010 Member
Elections to the Fellowship and Foreign Membership Committee December 2003 - December 2005 Member
Sectional Committee 4: Engineering and Materials Science December 2001 - November 2004 Chair
Hooke Committee January 2000 - December 2003 Member
Summer Science Exhibition Committee January 1999 - December 2002 Member