Sir David Grant (born 12 September 1947) is a British academic who was the

vice-chancellor A chancellor is a leader of a college or university, usually either the executive or ceremonial head of the university or of a university campus within a university system. In most Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations, the chancellor ...

of Cardiff University in

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...

from 2001 to 2012. Following his appointment, Grant oversaw the merger between Cardiff University and the

University of Wales College of Medicine The Cardiff University School of Medicine ( cy, Ysgol Feddygaeth Prifysgol Caerdydd) is the medical school of Cardiff University and is located in Cardiff, Wales, UK. Founded in 1893 as part of the University College of South Wales and Monmou ...

, which was completed in 2004, and the award of university status to Cardiff. He gained his PhD in engineering science from Durham University in 1974. Prior to his appointment at Cardiff University, Grant worked for the

Dowty Group Dowty Group was a leading British manufacturer of aircraft equipment. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The firm ceased operating as an individual entity following its acquisition by T ...

and then became director of technology at the General Electric Company (1991–2001). He was awarded the Mensforth International Gold Medal by the

Institution of Electrical Engineers The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. It began in 1871 as the Society of T ...

in 1996. He became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1997, and was a vice-president from 2007 to 2012. He is also a former council member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and was a governing board member of

Innovate UK Innovate UK is the United Kingdom's innovation agency, which provides money and support to organisations to make new products and services. It is a non-departmental public body operating at arm's length from the Government as part of the United ...

(formerly the Technology Strategy Board). He served on the board of the

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom. Its stated purpose is "to maximise the impact of science and technology for the defence and security of the UK". The a ...

from 2012 to 2018, and was chair of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network until 2018. Grant is a non-executive director of

Renishaw plc Renishaw plc is a British engineering company based in Wotton-under-Edge, England. The company's products include coordinate-measuring machines and machine tool products. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE ...

and of IQE, and chair of the National Physical Laboratory. He was elected an Honorary

Fellow A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher education ...

Wolfson College, Cambridge Wolfson College () is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. The majority of students at the college are postgraduates. The college also admits "mature" undergraduates (aged 21 and above), with around ...

in 2000. Grant was appointed a

Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...

in 1997 for his contribution to the UK Foresight Programme, and was knighted in the

2016 Birthday Honours The 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours are appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries. The Birthday Honours are awarded as p ...

for services to engineering, technology, and skills.

References

1947 births Living people People associated with Cardiff University Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering Fellows of Wolfson College, Cambridge Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Fellows of Jesus College, Oxford Knights Bachelor Alumni of Durham University Graduate Society Scientists of the National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom) {{UK-academic-bio-stub