Roger Medwell
Pro-Chancellor, distinguished friends, colleagues, graduands and guests.
There can be no argument that Roger Medwell is a man with Coventry in his heart.
After joining Courtaulds Limited in the City as an apprentice in 1960, he progressed through the ranks to become Chairman and Chief Executive – testament to the fact that hard work and drive can indeed pay dividends.
Between 1978 and his retirement in 2009, Roger led the business, which later became NP Aerospace Ltd and then Morgan Advanced Materials from a £1-million UK turnover to an international turnover of £187-million. Today, the company remains proud of its many decades of engineering pedigree and it’s clear that Roger Medwell can boast a strong influence on that history.
Born in Barking, Essex and brought up in Ongar, Roger was educated at Ongar Secondary Modern School and Chelmsford Art and Technical College, before moving to the Midlands to be educated at Butts Technical College and latterly, Lanchester Polytechnic. We are pleased to welcome back Roger today in our current guise of Coventry University – I am certain he will recognise a few changes!
During his early years at Courtaulds, Roger cites Alan Beeching, the founding manager of the Courtaulds Moulding Department, as a key influence on his career. An incredibly innovative engineer and leader, Mr Beeching was responsible for producing some of the most complex moulded structures ever made; something the company still prides itself on today.
After qualifying as a Chartered Engineer in 1973, Roger took over as General Manager in 1978. That progression continued when he was appointed Director of the Courtaulds Advanced Materials Division of the Courtaulds Group in 1983. The Group comprised some 20 plus sites worldwide including three sites in the USA.
In 1999 he oversaw the restructuring of the business from a Courtaulds company to a private one. The restructuring included developing the business from the production of commodity products for textile, domestic appliances and the automotive industries to niche advanced composite mouldings for defence, medical and aerospace industries.
The restructuring included moving the team from a hierarchical structure to a united single status, customer focused, loyal committed team that delivered quality products quickly. Needless to say, the changes were a success. During his tenure, Roger and his team registered many inventions and patents, which were critical to differentiating the business. Following his well-earned retirement, Roger has continued to invest time into improving Coventry through a number of voluntary positions.
He is currently Chair of Culture Coventry, the trust which manages four of the City’s finest visitor attractions – the Coventry transport museum, the Lunt Roman Fort, The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, and the Priory Visitor Centre - as well as being Trustee and ‘Artistic Engineer’ of the Godiva Awakes Charity Trust. He’s also Deputy Chairman of Coventry and Warwickshire Business in the Community, past Chairman of the Warwickshire Institute of Engineering and Technology and is a Trustee of the Coventry Cathedral Development Trust, making today’s venue a fitting setting.
After winning country colours with Essex and Warwickshire in his youth, athletics remains one of his key passions, with Roger a Life Member, Past Chair and Current Committee Member of Coventry Godiva Harriers (Athletics Club). The strong association continues and he remains the lead coach for Godiva Kids, the children’s section of the club, where he has managed and coached for over 15 years.
Married to wife Patricia for 48 years, the couple have two daughters and three grandchildren, who will undoubtedly be proud of the recognition of Roger’s achievements.
In recognition of his significant contribution to engineering and manufacturing, both locally and internationally, as well as to the charitable sector, Coventry University, by decision of the Academic Board, has the privilege of conferring the Honorary Doctor of Technology, honoris causa, on Roger Medwell.