Abstract: This specification describes an igniter, particularly for gas turbine engines, and comprising two or more electrodes separated by a body of insulating or semi-conducting material and having exposed working surfaces between which sparks may pass, at least part of the working surface or surfaces of at least one of the electrodes comprising a host material in which Co or Ni predominates alloyed or compounded with one or more additional metals selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, Ag and Au. Preferably, the additional metal is platinum which is present in an amount of 1 to 20 wt.% of the total metal content.