Richard Parry-Jones Memorial Medal

Premier award of the Automobile Division, to an individual or a team of people for an outstanding technical achievement. This may be a significant product launch, or research project, or other development in the field of automotive engineering. It can also be awarded for outstanding and continuous service to the automotive industry over a number of years.

Eligibility

• Members and non-members, worldwide. Can be either an individual or a team of people.

Award conditions

• The achievement must have been completed in the qualifying year of the award. For example a product introduced to the market, a research project reported through a published report or paper, or an innovation presented at a major event, e.g. a conference.
• The individual or team should have had sole or lead responsibility for the product/project and, if applicable, presented at the major event.
• Nominations will be considered by the Automobile Division Board and they alone will have the responsibility of selecting the winner(s).
• The medal can be presented annually.

Value of award

• Bronze medal, engraved with the individual(s) name(s).

Application process

Closing date: 30 September 2024

Send completed nomination form to membernetworks@imeche.org

• 2023 - Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd

Professor Richard Parry-Jones CBE FIMechE FREng 1951-2021

Richard Parry-Jones was a British Engineer who rose to become Global Head of Product Development and Chief Technical Officer for Ford Motor Company.

Born in North Wales in 1951, he studied Mechanical Engineering at Salford University, gaining a first class degree in 1973; he then embarked on a 38 year career at Ford in UK, Germany and North America.

He is best known for bringing a higher standard of vehicle dynamics to Ford vehicles and those of Ford’s other brands, including Aston Martin, Jaguar Land-Rover and Volvo. His influence spread beyond Ford, driving higher standards across the industry worldwide.

He pioneered the development of a defined, customer-focussed personality for each brands' products (their DNA). He was also instrumental in bringing a new quality focus to the product development process, including the application of statistical methods to improve robustness, reliability and durability, techniques that are now widespread in the global industry.

After retiring from Ford in 2007, he led the development of a strategic plan for the UK automotive industry in a low carbon future, leading to the formation of the UK Automotive Council (which he co-chaired) - a Government-Industry body charged with implementing the plan.  He oversaw the formation of the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, and the Faraday Institution. 

As well as his automotive achievements, he served for several years as Chair of Network Rail, Yorkshire Water and, at the time of his death in 2021, the Marshalls Motor Group.

In 2005 Richard Parry-Jones received a CBE in HM Queen Elizabeth II's New Year Honours, for services to the global automotive industry. He was a Visiting Professor at Loughborough University, as well as a Fellow of the IMechE and the Royal Academy of Engineering and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society.