Sir David scoops James Watt medal

Sir David Roberts McMurtry, the founder of measurement specialist company Renishaw, has been awarded the James Watt International Gold Medal.

He received the honour at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Annual Dinner, which took place on November 21 at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum.

Every two years the IMechE awards the James Watt International Gold Medal to an eminent engineer who has attained world-wide recognition in mechanical engineering in any direction.

On a web post, the Institute said: “This year’s winner, Sir David McMurtry, is a leader in his field and the Executive Chairman of Renishaw, a multi-disciplined engineering firm with a truly global footprint.

“Sir David is highly respected in engineering circles for his many ground-breaking inventions (he is named on over 200 patents) and for his capable management of a company that is currently valued at 3.3 billion Euros. That said, the IMechE’s judges were especially impressed with Sir David’s lifelong emphasis on research and development, a focus which has helped make his company a true world leader.”