2006: W Alec Osborn

W. Alec Osborn 

121st President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Osborn was born in 1939 and educated at Grantham College for Further Education. At the college, he studied for two HNCs while apprenticing with British Racing Motors. He progressed to a position as a draughtsman, working on numerous projects including the BRM Formula 1 H16 and V12 engines.

In 1969, he was initially appointed Design Engineer at Perkins Engines, but his talent and aptitude soon led to the position of Chief Engineer. During his thirty-two years with the firm, he worked in applications engineering, test operations and production engineering. He became a consultant in 2002.

Osborn joined the IMechE in 1962 and became involved with numerous boards and committees, serving as Chairman of the Combustion Engines Group, the Qualifications and Membership board and the Technical Strategy Board. He also took a particular interest in the development of his local group, the East Midlands Region. His experience and profile led to appointments on the boards of the Deacon’s School in Peterborough and Hereward Community College. He became Director of the Thomas Deacon City Academy in 2004. In 2002, he was made a Freeman of the City of London.

Osborn chartered in 1969 and was made a Fellow of the IMechE in 1991.

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