Robert Flitney is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer in the UK and a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. His early engineering experience involved the operation and maintenance of power and process plant in the marine and frozen food industries. This was followed by 35 years of contract R&D on Fluid Sealing Technology at BHR Group, including 10 years managing this activity. This work included fundamental experimental studies of both dynamic and static seals, wide ranging consultancy projects and a considerable number of collaborative industrial projects, undertaken to assist both manufacturers and users with the development of realistic and meaningful test procedures together… with improved prediction of seal performance. He has authored or co-authored over 50 papers presented at international conferences, has been invited to provide the keynote presentation at Sealing Seminars and is Convenor of the ISO Working Group responsible for reciprocating seal test standards. His current activities include consultancy on seals and sealing technology plus editing Sealing Technology, a monthly newsletter for industry.