David McMurtry
Encyclopedia
Sir David Roberts McMurtry CBE
(born 1940) is the founder of Renishaw plc
, the United Kingdom
's largest supplier of metrology
equipment.
in Dublin, David McMurtry joined Bristol Aero Engines as an apprentice in 1958. In 1966, following an acquisition, he found himself employed by Rolls-Royce plc
where he became Deputy Chief Designer and Assistant Chief of Engine Design at Filton
. In 1973 while working on Concorde
's engines he designed his first trigger probe. In 1979 he joined his former colleague John Deer to establish Renishaw plc
. In 1987 he acquired the patents for his trigger probes from Rolls-Royce plc
and began to exploit the patents himself.
In 1989 he became a Royal Designer for Industry.
He was awarded the CBE
in 1994 and was knighted in the New Years Honours List 2001.
In 2008 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering
by the University of Bath
.
He lives in a futuristic home at Wotton-under-Edge
in Gloucestershire
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 1940) is the founder of Renishaw plc
Renishaw plc
Renishaw plc is an engineering company based in Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire, England. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:The Company was founded by Sir David McMurtry and John Deer in 1973...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's largest supplier of metrology
Metrology
Metrology is the science of measurement. Metrology includes all theoretical and practical aspects of measurement. The word comes from Greek μέτρον , "measure" + "λόγος" , amongst others meaning "speech, oration, discourse, quote, study, calculation, reason"...
equipment.
Career
Brought up in Dublin and educated at Mountjoy SchoolMount Temple Comprehensive School
Mount Temple Comprehensive School is a secondary school located in Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland, originally notable as the first multi-denominational public school under Protestant management to open in Dublin....
in Dublin, David McMurtry joined Bristol Aero Engines as an apprentice in 1958. In 1966, following an acquisition, he found himself employed by Rolls-Royce plc
Rolls-Royce plc
Rolls-Royce Group plc is a global power systems company headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s second-largest maker of aircraft engines , and also has major businesses in the marine propulsion and energy sectors. Through its defence-related activities...
where he became Deputy Chief Designer and Assistant Chief of Engine Design at Filton
Filton
Filton is a town in South Gloucestershire, England, situated on the northern outskirts of the city of Bristol, about from the city centre. Filton lies in Bristol postcode areas BS7 and BS34. The town centres upon Filton Church, which dates back to the 12th century and is a grade II listed building...
. In 1973 while working on Concorde
Concorde
Aérospatiale-BAC Concorde was a turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner, a supersonic transport . It was a product of an Anglo-French government treaty, combining the manufacturing efforts of Aérospatiale and the British Aircraft Corporation...
's engines he designed his first trigger probe. In 1979 he joined his former colleague John Deer to establish Renishaw plc
Renishaw plc
Renishaw plc is an engineering company based in Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire, England. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:The Company was founded by Sir David McMurtry and John Deer in 1973...
. In 1987 he acquired the patents for his trigger probes from Rolls-Royce plc
Rolls-Royce plc
Rolls-Royce Group plc is a global power systems company headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s second-largest maker of aircraft engines , and also has major businesses in the marine propulsion and energy sectors. Through its defence-related activities...
and began to exploit the patents himself.
In 1989 he became a Royal Designer for Industry.
He was awarded the CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1994 and was knighted in the New Years Honours List 2001.
In 2008 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
by the University of Bath
University of Bath
The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....
.
He lives in a futuristic home at Wotton-under-Edge
Wotton-under-Edge
Wotton-under-Edge is a market town within the Stroud district of Gloucestershire, England. Located near the southern end of the Cotswolds, the Cotswold Way long-distance footpath passes through the town. Standing on the B4058 Wotton is about from the M5 motorway. The nearest railway station is...
in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
.