Engineering news
The work of Charles Spencer King, the mechanical engineer who masterminded the development of the Range Rover, has been recognised by the launch of an IMechE scholarship in his name.
The Land Rover Spen King Sustainability Award comes in memory of the Surrey-born engineer, who died in June this year. The launch of the award also marks the 40th anniversary of the Range Rover, with more than one million vehicles produced during that time.
The Spen King Scholarship was announced at this year’s Vision Awards, which were held earlier this month at the institution’s Birdcage Walk headquarters. The Vision Awards celebrate the nation’s brightest young engineers across all levels, from engineering apprentices and undergraduate scholarships, to research and post-graduates.
The Spen King Scholarship will be awarded at next year’s event to an undergraduate scholar who has demonstrated how they plan to use their engineering degree to improve environmental sustainability in their professional working life. The scholarship will be worth £1,000 per year and will include an industrial placement at Jaguar Land Rover.
Stephen Tetlow, chief executive of the IMechE, said: “We are delighted to offer this scholarship in memory of Spen King. He will certainly live on through our Vision Awards. He was, without doubt, one of the most visionary mechanical engineers of his time.
“One key aspiration of our Vision Awards is to break the societal mindset of what engineering is. Engineering is not just a car engine, a machine, a branch of technology, or an equation to be solved - it is about people who drive change. Through this scheme we want to showcase the best Britain has to offer in engineering. It is people like Spen King who have helped to inspire change and drive innovation forward.”
Phil Popham, managing director, at Land Rover added: “The Award is a fitting way to remember one of the UK’s finest engineers and the mastermind behind one of the industry’s most iconic and successful vehicles - the Range Rover. Throughout his life, Spen was a great inspiration to many people. Now, through this award, Spen’s name will live on and continue to inspire and encourage the next generation of engineers."