Professor David Williams awarded OBE

David Williams, Professor of Healthcare Engineering at Loughborough University, has been awarded an OBE for services to science and engineering in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Professor Williams is also Director of the Loughborough-led EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Regenerative Medicine.

Professor Williams’ career began as a student apprentice at the global engineering group GKN, during which time he also embarked upon his undergraduate degree at UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology). He then went on to study for his PhD at the University of Cambridge.

Having been made Ford of Britain Fellow in 1980, Professor Williams was subsequently appointed Lecturer in Manufacturing and Design at the University of Cambridge and was made a Fellow of the University’s Downing College.

A move to Loughborough in 1989 saw Professor Williams appointed to the Chair of Manufacturing Processes, and two years later he also took up the role of head of the Department of Manufacturing Engineering.

1999 to 2003 saw him in industry again as Technical Director of Bespak, during which time he also gained a DEng (Doctor of Engineering) from UMIST and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

In 2003 Professor Williams became Loughborough University’s first-ever Professor of Healthcare Engineering – a move that reinforced the University’s evolution into this fast-growing area of the healthcare industry and ultimately led to the formation of the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Regenerative Medicine.

Professor Williams has also recently been appointed as the academic lead for the University’s Research Challenge in Health and Wellbeing. The six Research Challenges bring together associated research from across the University to accelerate the delivery of distinctive solutions to regional, national and international challenges.

Professor Williams is also Honorary Historical Consultant to the Royal Armouries.

Of his OBE, Professor Williams said: “I am delighted to have been made an OBE for services to science and engineering. The award recognises both the work that I have done and the many contributions of colleagues around me.”

Fiona Bull – who until recently was Professor of Physical Activity and Public Health within the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University, and Co-Director of the Loughborough-based British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Health – has also been awarded an MBE for services to public health.

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