Ronald William Mellor (SG 1948) has died at 95

Following a commission in the Royal Artillery and an engineering degree at Kings College, London he joined the Ford Motor Company. He rapidly rose through the company with experience in engine and body engineering and design.  As the European head of engineering and director of product development he signed off on all the cars manufactured from the mid 1970s to the mid 1980s.  He was awarded a Design Council award for the iconic Fiesta.  In 1984 he was made a Commander of the British Empire, in part for his successful project to bring an engine plant to Bridgend in Wales.  After leaving Ford he was appointed Secretary (chief executive) of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He was a founding governor of Anglia Ruskin University, and was made an honorary fellow.  He was also a visiting professor of mechanical engineering at Kings College.

He loved sailing, travel, military history and his family.