Hugh Conway
Pro-Chancellor, distinguished friends, colleagues, graduands and guests.
Following a career in works and engineering within large heavy engineering industrial companies, which spanned decades, Hugh Conway became chairman of the Bugatti Trust. Coventry is fundamentally linked to the automotive sector, and the Bugatti Trust and Coventry University have very close ties indeed through the support offered to our students. With this in mind it is very fitting that we are today recognising Hugh as an Honorary Doctor of Technology.
With a father working in the aircraft industry as an engineer Hugh moved around a lot as a child which saw him living in Lancashire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Belfast. Hugh attended several primary schools before settling in Warwickshire for his secondary education.
He then went on to gain an engineering degree at Cambridge University in 1962, an MA in 1966, followed by a Graduate Apprenticeship in the steel industry in the UK and Australia, which saw him qualify as a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1968. This is the highest class of elected membership, and is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to and innovation in mechanical engineering. A truly outstanding achievement.
Perhaps it is no surprise Hugh ended up in this field. His childhood interests included sport and mechanical engineering, his father was an engineer, and by his own admission, Hugh’s best subjects at school were maths and science.
Hugh spent several years as chairman of the European Cement Association solid fuels groups based in Brussels and Chair of the Electricity Group of the Major Energy Users Council, an independent energy advisory and lobby organisation with access to government and regulatory bodies.
Away from work, Hugh has had an interest in vintage cars for many years after he acquired an Austin 7 in his teens. This developed into a specific interest in Bugatti.
Working alongside his father (a leading expert on Bugatti), Hugh became involved with the Bugatti Trust Study Centre from its inception and has been the chairman since 2002. The Trust was founded for the advancement of education with the establishment of a museum and research centre. Both are devoted to the history and study of the works of Ettore Bugatti, the Italian engineer and designer, and the cars and other products he created.
The Bugatti Trust has been supporting Coventry University for decades, and in 2002 The Bugatti building, funded by the Bugatti Trust was built. This building provides an invaluable space for our Faculty of Arts and Humanities, in particular this is used in the areas of Automotive and Transport Design.
The Bugatti Trust, and specifically Hugh, make great efforts to promote the achievements of Ettore Bugatti, to encourage young people to consider a career in engineering.
The Bugatti Trust is a regular donor to the university, and Hugh Conway enthusiastically supports the university in other ways. He organizes visits to the Bugatti Trust headquarters and museum for Coventry University student groups and prizewinners. Additionally, a Bugatti Prize is given to the Coventry University engineering student who gained the best overall average mark in their first Year. Hugh provides a personal museum tour to each prizewinner and takes a real interest in their work and career aspirations. He is also very supportive in encouraging females who are studying towards careers in both engineering and design.
Hugh recently organized a competition where Art and Humanities students were given the challenge of refreshing the design of the Trust’s buildings. This provided a great opportunity for the students involved to engage in a ‘real’ industry project.
Hugh has been married to Annette for 45 years and the couple have a son and daughter and five grandchildren. Away from work, although still intrinsically linked to the Bugatti Trust, Hugh owns several Bugattis, which he continues to maintain and drive to events for pleasure.
In recognition of his significant and ongoing commitment to the work of the Bugatti Trust, Coventry University, by decision of the Academic Board has the privilege of conferring the Degree of Doctor of Technology, honoris causa, on Hugh Conway.