Tribute to Sir David McMurtry

Sir David’s influence in engineering and global manufacturing is immense, with a career that spanned over six decades. Some common themes run throughout: embracing and creating future technologies, innovating across sectors and mentoring future generations.

Sir David is greatly missed by all at McMurtry Automotive. He leaves behind an immense legacy as a pioneering engineer. Every future lap in a McMurtry Spéirling will honour his memory and be reminder of his extraordinary life of innovation.

Here’s some further insight into some key achievements :

A pivotal invention of Sir David’s is the ‘touch trigger probe,’ which revolutionized the three-dimensional measurement of machined components. This innovation is essential to how high precision factories worldwide now achieve fast, accurate and reliable measurements.

His drive, leadership and ingenuity were major factors in making that invention a worldwide commercial success and ultimately earning the personal resources to found McMurtry Automotive.

The touch trigger probe was born out of necessity in 1972 to address measurement challenges during the production of the Olympus engine for the Concorde, where Sir David served as Assistant Chief of Engine Design at Rolls Royce. His rise from apprentice to the youngest-ever Assistant Chief of Engine Design was early evidence of his work ethic, technical aptitude and creative thinking.

In 1973 he and colleague John Deer founded Renishaw to commercialise the touch trigger probe. Under Sir David and Johns leadership Renishaw has grown to employ over 5,000 people in 36 countries, and has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1984.

Beyond measurement technology and machine tool calibration Renishaw also has developed a portfolio of innovations in additive manufacturing (3D printing), and sub-micron metrology and neurosurgery.

Sir David’s career was marked by a quiet brilliance, preferring to mentor engineers rather than seek public recognition. Nevertheless, he received numerous prestigious accolades, including a CBE in 1994, a Knighthood in 2001, and being named a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Sir David’s contributions to engineering earned him further global acclaim with awards from Japan and the USA, such as the ND Marketing Award in 1990 and the “Master of Manufacturing” honor in 2008, the first time either award had been awarded to someone outside of those countries.? In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious James Watt International Gold Medal by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers also. ?

He was also named on 47 patents at Rolls-Royce and more than 200 at Renishaw.

At the age of 76, Sir David decided it was time to innovate in a new market, to channel his passion for engineering, lateral thinking and vehicles with the eponymous car company, McMurtry Automotive, co-founded with Thomas Yates head hunted from the Mercedes F1 powertrain division.

They became great friends over the last 8 years and have grown and mentored the team to over 50 people based a stones throw from the Renishaw HQ, nearby Swinhay House.

“David’s vision and determination not only shaped the success of Renishaw but also laid the foundation for McMurtry Automotive. David was a source of inspiration, a role model to many, and a dear friend. His legacy will continue to drive us forward as we honour his memory through innovation and dedication to excellence.” Thomas Yates, Managing Director, McMurtry Automotive.

Together, Sir David and McMurtry Automotive engineers have developed a uniquely performing car, using a clean sheet approach and are patenting many new technologies along the way. A novel car like this is a tough technical challenge which Sir David took great pleasure in the team achieving.

Setting records around the world, including at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2022, demonstrated Sir David’s vision of whats possible on four wheels. His passion for engineering purity runs through everything in the car, he was always willing to challenge the norm and encourage others to do the same.

Sir David drove the prototype McMurtry vehicles on a number of occasions, even into his 80’s, always giving technical feedback and encouragement in equal measure. His curiosity to learn and develop was resolute right until the very end.

He is survived by his wife, Terry, and their three children.