THE CHIEF executive at a Shirley manufacturing technology company has been handed a CBE.
Richard Elsy was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to manufacturing and technology at High Value Manufacturing Catapult .
Company chair, Allan Cook, said: “Richard’s recognition in this year’s honours list will be celebrated by all in manufacturing.
“His tireless passion and enthusiasm for encouraging and supporting innovation in the sector, is helping to drive a transformation that will position UK companies to win in hugely competitive global markets.”
Mr Elsy spent the first days of his career in the automotive industry, with the bulk of his time spent at Land Rover and then Jaguar, where he was engineering director.
At Land Rover he started his career as one of the key project team members on the original Discovery programme. He became a member of the board from where he led the creation, development, and manufacture of the Freelander.
Prior to his most recent role, Mr Elsy was the CEO of Torotrak plc – a developer of traction drive technology.
Mr Elsy was born in South Shields and is married with one daughter.
His mother, Rebecca Elsy, was awarded the MBE for her community work in 2003.
