Tributes to automotive executive and engineer
TRIBUTES have been paid to leading automotive executive and engineer Richard ParryJones, who died last week following an accident at this home in Gwynedd.
Born in Bangor in 1951, Prof ParryJones rose to become group vicepresident-global product development, chief technical officer and head of global R&D operations at Ford Motor Company with 30,000 engineers and technical staff working under him.
During his career over 30 years with Ford, Prof Parry-Jones influenced the Escort, Sierra, Ka, Fiesta, Puma, Cougar and Galaxy, and particularly the Mondeo and Focus as well as several American models for Lincoln.
After Ford acquired Jaguar and Land Rover along with Aston Martin Lagonda, he also played a major role in their models’ performance, ride and handling for decades and his influences remain in some of those cars to the present day.
As Ford’s lead engineer he also had to resolve safety issues which came with the use of Firestone tyres on Ford Explorer models in the USA and he described that as his most difficult time as an engineer.
His abilities were recognised when he was made a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Institute of Mechanical Engineers and voted Man of the Year 1994 by Autocar and Man of the Year 1997 by Automobile magazine in the US.
He retired from Ford aged 56 in 2007 and then pursued an independent career as a consultant and advisor to motor manufacturers and major dealer groups.
He worked with the Welsh Government and the Welsh Automotive Forum (WAF) to encourage automotive investment into Wales, particularly after the financial crisis in 2008. He was appointed chairman of WAF in May 2018 following the death of the previous chairman and friend Prof Garel Rhys and in June 2019 was asked by Welsh Government to head up the taskforce established after the decision by Ford to close its engine plant in Bridgend.
Recently he joined the board of Aston Martin Lagonda, which has a factory in the Vale of Glamorgan for its first SUV vehicle.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “It was with great regret that I learned of the death of Richard Parry-Jones. Throughout his long and illustrious career, in which he rose to global significance within the automotive engineering industry, Richard was always a champion of the Welsh economy. Most recently he
chaired the Ford Bridgend Taskforce and was a much-respected chair of the Welsh Automotive Forum. He was deeply respected by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him and he will be deeply missed.”
Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company, said: “Richard Parry-Jones was a rare talent who left an indelible mark on Ford and the industry.
“As an engineer, he was a virtuoso with an uncanny feel for creating cars that were dynamic and incredibly fun to drive. I can tell you that going on a test drive with him was not for the faint of heart. His passion for great cars and love of motoring inspired legions of engineers and enthusiasts in Europe and around the world. Richard will be deeply missed, and our heart goes out to his family and loved ones.”
Executive chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda Lawrence Stroll said: “Richard was not only a valuable member of the board but also a friend. This is a terrible loss to the board, the business and the industry for which Richard has been such an influential figure. Our thoughts are with Richard’s family through this difficult time.”
Graham Hoare, chairman of Ford Motor Company Limited, said: “Richard inspired and was respected by an entire generation of automotive engineers in the UK for his passion and ability to create exceptional vehicles that excelled in delivering what ‘fun to drive’ is all about.
“He was an influential figure not just at Ford, but also at Aston Martin Lagonda and Jaguar Land Rover during Ford’s period of ownership, and his commitment to the development of the British – and particularly the Welsh – auto industries continued after his retirement from Ford up to the present day.
“Richard had the great skill of making even the most complex engineering topic easy for the layman to understand. Proud of his Welsh heritage, Wales was always close to Richard’s heart. He will be greatly missed by his many friends across the UK auto industry, which is lessened by his passing, and our thoughts are with his family.”
Tim Williams, former chief executive of WAF who worked with Prof Parry-Jones, said: “He was a leader whose skill and diplomacy made him an internationally acknowledged automotive engineer. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”
Prof Parry-Jones CBE is survived by his widow, Sara, and three children.