Neil McCartney graduated with a PhD in Mathematics from Manchester University in 1968 and spent the whole of his career at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) undertaking theoretical research associated with many aspects of materials science. He is currently an Emeritus Senior NPL Fellow. For many years he studied damage initiation and growth in unidirectional fibre reinforced composites and their laminates, with applications to multi-layered materials involving metals, ceramics, and polymers. His current work includes modelling of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells and batteries, and of multi-layered piezoelectric systems subject to mechanical, thermal, and electrical stimulation. He was Visiting Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Surrey, March 1995 to 31 August 2010, and Visiting Professor in the Centre for Collaborative Research, The University of Tokyo, Japan, 1 February to 8 May 1999. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and a Chartered Mathematician.