2000: Denis Edwin Filer

Denis Edwin Filer (1932-)

115th President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Filer was born in 1932.

He was educated at Manchester Central Grammar School, and studied for a BSc in Mechanical Engineering at Manchester University, graduating in 1953.

Following his graduation, Filer was commissioned in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), where he completed his National Service. He retained an involvement through the Territorial Army, eventually becoming Honorary Colonel REME TA.

He spent 32 years of his career with ICI, starting in the dyestuffs division in Manchester. He was initially involved with mechanical design on specific equipment or processes. He introduced the concept of computer modelling and, in particular, its use in the design of new chemical plants. He retired in 1988, having spent seven years as Director of Engineering.

The same year, he took up the position of Director General of the Engineering Council. At the time, this was a relatively new body, not yet well established, but by the time Filer left it had strong links with the engineering institutions and was on a much firmer footing.

Filer left in 1994 to become Chairman of Adwest Group plc, an automotive components supplier.

Denis Filer was President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 2000.

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