1989: Roy Ernest James Roberts

1989: Roy Ernest James Roberts

 

Roy Ernest James Roberts (1928-1993)

104th President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Roberts was born in 1928.

He was educated at Farnham Grammar School. He began his career with an engineering apprenticeship with the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough.

In 1951, he went to Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds (GKN) as a management trainee, and from 1955 to 1970 he held various positions with GKN and C & B Smith Ltd., acquired by GKN in 1966, including Works Director and Director and General Manager.

He became Managing Director of GKN Engineering Ltd in 1972, and in 1974 Chairman of both GKN Engineering Ltd. and GKN Building Supplies and Services Ltd. He was appointed to the Main Board of GKN in 1975 and became the Group Director responsible for Engineer and Construction in India, Pakistan, South Africa and the Middle East. He was appointed Group Managing Director in 1980, Deputy Chairman in 1987, and retired from GKN the following year. He was awarded a CBE in 1986.

Roberts died in 1993.

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