David McMurtry
Sir David Roberts McMurtry CBE (born 1940) is the founder of Renishaw plc, the United Kingdom's largest supplier of metrology equipment.
Career
Brought up in Dublin and educated at Mountjoy School in Dublin, David McMurtry joined Bristol Aero Engines as an apprentice in 1958.[1] In 1966, following an acquisition, he found himself employed by Rolls-Royce plc where he became Deputy Chief Designer and Assistant Chief of Engine Design at Filton.[1] In 1973, while working on Concorde's engines, he designed his first trigger probe.[1]
In 1979 McMurtry joined his former colleague John Deer to set up Renishaw plc.[1] In 1987 he acquired the patents for his trigger probes from Rolls-Royce plc and began to exploit the patents himself.[1]
In 1989 he became a Royal Designer for Industry.[2]
He was awarded the CBE in 1994[3] and was knighted in the 2001 New Year Honours.[4]
In 2001, Sir David was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. In 2008 the University of Bath[5] awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering. In 2011 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. [6]
Swinhay House
McMurty bought a 230 acres (93 ha) piece of land and forest in North Nibley near Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire[7] on which in a 60 acres (24 ha) section he commissioned award-winning eco-architect David Austin to layout an environmental estate.[8] David Austin designed the magnificent modern-day eco-friendly country manor and in 2000 acquired PPG 7 planning permission for it as a "Millenium House",[9] under guidance that allowed for the creation of houses of exceptional architectural interest within the green belt.[9][10] The design, plans and sketches were then passed to Gloucester-based archietcts Roberts Limbrick to complete the construction drawings whilst architect Andy Rathbone was commissioned to design the surrounding parkland and gardens, which includes a lake adapted for heat exchange purposes.[10] Swinhay House, a ten-level, eight bedroom country home of 23,250 square feet (2,160 m2), which contains a swimming pool, a jacuzzi and sauna, a bowling alley, a squash court, a fully enclosed glazed winter garden and a panoramic viewing room set 14.5 metres (48 ft) above the ground level,[9][10] cost more than £30million to complete.[10]
Although complete and operational, McMurty and his family do not live in the property.[9][10] Instead it is used to host charitable causes, and rented out to fashion photographers and film makers. The home was used in the final episode of the third series of BBC One's Sherlock, as the home of nemesis Charles Augustus Magnussen, the fee for which was donated to charity.[9][10][11]
Personal life
McMurty is married to Teresa and has two sons and a daughter.[12]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Renishaw: Biography
- ↑ New Year Honour for David McMurtry Engineering Talk, 9 March 2001
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 53863. p. 16701. 29 November 1994. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 56070. p. 2. 30 December 2000. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
- ↑ University of Bath: McMurtry Oration
- ↑ "Sir David Roberts McMurtry CBE FREng FRS". Royal Society. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
- ↑ The futuristic dream home of one of Britain's leading industrialists Daily Mail, 8 September 2008
- ↑ "Swinhay House". David Austin & Associates. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 James Edgar (14 January 2014). "Millionaire owner of Sherlock mansion opts for more modest dwelling". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 "Inside the real-life Appledore". Daily Mail. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ "Sherlock finale features Gloucestershire's modern-day mansion Swinhay House". Gloucestershire Echo. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
- ↑ Inventor's Probing Mind Defies UK Industry Meltdown Investing News, 16 June 2005