Sir Moir Lockhead receives Society of Operations Engineers' honorary fellowship

Tuesday, 2 March 2010 12:00 AM

Sir Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive of FirstGroup plc, the UK's largest bus and rail operator, visited the Society of Operations Engineers' (SOE) Head Office in Westminster recently to receive a rare Honorary Fellowship from the organisation he has been a member of for more than 40 years.

The Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE), forms part of SOE and boasts nearly 65 years experience developing engineering professionals in the road transport, plant and engineer surveying industries.

Sir Moir explained IRTE membership was what he and his colleagues strived for as 15-year-old apprentices. He said: "Gaining IRTE membership was a tremendous goal as it meant we would be considered professional people."

He added: "Receiving this Honorary Fellowship some 46 years later is a wonderful privilege and is a very proud moment.

Commenting on the achievement, SOE Chief Executive, Nick Jones, outlined the partnership between Sir Moir and the IRTE. He said: "Sir Moir Lockhead has done an enormous amount for the bus industry and for transport in general. It is with great pride that the IRTE has supported and followed his journey from an apprentice 46 years ago, via a Knighthood, to become Chief Executive of the leading transport operator in the UK and North America, transporting some 2.5 billion passengers a year."

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Editor's notes:

Sir Moir Lockhead:

Moir Lockhead left school at 15 and started work as an apprentice mechanic. He followed a career in engineering until he joined Grampian Regional Transport in 1985 as General Manager, where he led a successful employee/management buy-out of the company in 1989.

Since then, as founding Director and CEO, he has seen the company grow to be the largest provider of rail and bus services in the UK and, with over 60,000 yellow school buses, the largest provider of school bus travel in the USA and Canada. From small beginnings in Aberdeen, the company now carries 4 million students per day and over 2.5 billion passengers a year, including the iconic Greyhound network in the USA and Canada. The company employs over 130,000 staff worldwide.

Sir Moir was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 1996. In 2008 he was awarded a Knighthood for services to transport in the Queen's Birthday Honours and was named IoD Scotland Director of the Year. In 2009 he was again an award winner at the IoD Scotland Awards, being named Global Director of the Year. He received an Honorary Degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Aberdeen as well as being appointed Senior Governor of the University of Aberdeen Court. In 2010 Sir Moir was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Society of Operations Engineers, a body of which he has been a member for over 40 years. In May 2010 Sir Moir will become the President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport. He is also a Board member of VisitBritain.

IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers)

The IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers), one of the most respected names in UK transport, has been recognised as an impartial voice of the industry since 1947.

A Professional Sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), IRTE publishes an industry-leading technical journal, Transport Engineer, every month.

Transport Engineer is renowned for its incisive coverage of key issues, authoritative reporting, news analysis and informed comment.

IRTE also hosts regular technical seminars, forums and works alongside the DfT to promote efficiency and best practice. Recent events include trips and falls from vehicles, truck operation, fuel efficiency and the Road Safety Act.

IRTE's technical committee also produces regular industry guidance on key topics.

Recent publications include: A Best Practice Guide towards Tachograph Systems Compliance, Roadworthiness: Industry Best Practice, Coupling or Uncoupling & Parking of Large Goods Vehicle Trailers and Tail Lift - Specification Guide for Road Vehicles.

IRTE members come from a wide variety of transport-related roles. These include workshop managers, fleet engineers, transport managers, company directors, apprentices and technicians in the light and heavy goods vehicle and bus and coach sectors.

SOE (Society of Operations Engineers)

SOE is a professional membership organisation that successfully represents some 16,000 individuals and companies in engineering. It supports and encourages members throughout their careers and is committed to their ongoing growth and personal development.

Through a network of trustees, industry partners and members SOE promotes best practice in operational and health & safety initiatives. SOE offers members continuous professional development and support throughout their careers, providing definitive recognition for both achievement and status. The organisation is a Licensed Member of the Engineering Council and can nominate members for Engineering Council registration at EngTech, IEng and CEng levels.

SOE represents the Professional Sectors IRTE, IPlantE and BES and runs the irtec Licensing Scheme.

Further details are available from the SOE website at www.soe.org.uk.

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