PHOTO OPPORTUNITY/DIARY DATE: Tuesday, October 31, at King’s College Centre, University of Aberdeen – full details below
Aberdeen graduate, Iain Gray, whose company pioneered the development of a flagship aircraft that reduces fuel consumption and noise pollution, will return to the city next week to deliver a fascinating lecture on his life’s work so far.
Iain Gray is a distinguished engineering graduate of the University of Aberdeen whose company, Airbus UK, has overall management of the airbus business in the UK. Airbus has a turnover of £1.5bn a year and employs 12,000 people. As Managing Director of Airbus UK, Mr Gray also manages the A380 aircraft programme, overseeing the design, manufacture, assembly and supply of the wings and landing gear for the new 555-seater jet, which made its maiden voyage in April 2005.
The A380 aircraft programme has become the industry flagship for the 21st century thanks to a series of groundbreaking technologies to reduce fuel consumption, noise pollution and operating costs. It is also the first aircraft that can fly and land safely in the event of a total hydraulic failure.
Professor Dominic Houlihan, Vice Principal for Research and Commercialisation at the University of Aberdeen, is delighted that Mr Gray has accepted the Institution’s invitation to share his experience of directing the dynamic and forward-looking company.
He said: “Iain Gray is an extremely well-known and highly respected individual.
“I am pleased that someone of his stature is visiting the University and I am sure that his inspiring lecture will captivate guests. The event promises to be an exciting opportunity to hear an acknowledged world expert in engineering share his experience of directing Airbus UK.”
Iain Gray was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and joined British Aerospace in 1979 having gained an Engineering Science honours degree from the University of Aberdeen.
Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen will welcome the audience at the lecture, which will be held on Tuesday, October 31, at 6.00pm, in King’s College Centre. After the lecture, audience members will have the opportunity to pose questions to Mr Gray in a session chaired by Professor Houlihan. A drinks reception will follow.
The audience will comprise of invited guests, however, members of the public are also invited to attend the lecture. To reserve your free place, please contact Simon Christie, Office of External Affairs, University of Aberdeen on (01224) 273233 or email: s.christie@abdn.ac.uk