Leadership Legacy
Past Presidents
Since its creation in 2001, the World Chemical Engineering Council has been led by international figures who have strengthened the global role of chemical engineering.
Through their leadership, WCEC has advanced cooperation between regions, promoted world congresses, supported education and sustainability, connected the profession with global challenges, and created new platforms to recognise excellence.
Prof. David George Wood
Australia
2001-2011 Founding President
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Melbourne. Chair of the 6th World Congress of Chemical Engineering, Melbourne 2001.
Legacy
David George Wood helped lay the foundations of WCEC, advancing global cooperation in chemical engineering and championing education, accreditation and sustainable development as pillars of the profession’s international future.
Gregory Arthur Lewin
Australia
2012-2016
Former President of Shell Global Solutions and Executive Vice-President, Shell Downstream. Past President of IChemE.
Legacy
Greg Lewin strengthened WCEC’s role as a global voice for chemical engineering, bringing an industrial and international perspective focused on energy, water, food, health, sustainability and resource efficiency.
Philippe A. Tanguy
France and Canada
2012-2021
Senior R&D executive at Total/TotalEnergies. Former President of Polytechnique Montréal and Chief Strategy Officer at HTEC.
Legacy
Philippe A. Tanguy strengthened WCEC’s international leadership by connecting scientific excellence, industrial innovation and global collaboration, helping position chemical engineering as a key discipline for energy transition and sustainable industrial development.
Prof. Guohua Chen
China
2022-2026
Dean, School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Chair Professor at HKUST and former President of APCChE.
Legacy
Guohua Chen strengthened WCEC’s global visibility by establishing the WCEC Awards, first celebrated in China, creating a successful platform to recognize excellence, leadership and impact across the international chemical engineering community.
Continuing the legacy
WCEC continues to build on this leadership by connecting chemical engineering societies worldwide, supporting global congresses and recognising the people and ideas shaping the future of the profession. Together, WCEC leaders have shaped a global platform for chemical engineering.