Richard Parry-Jones oversaw product development for Ford vehicles worldwide, as well as design, research and vehicle technology.
17 Facts About Richard Parry-Jones
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Richard Parry-Jones joined Ford product development in 1969 as an undergraduate trainee, and was awarded a first class honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from Salford University, Manchester in 1973.
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Richard Parry-Jones was appointed Manager of Small Car Programs in 1982 and was named Executive Engineer of Ford's Technological Research in Europe in 1985, before adding responsibility for Vehicle Concepts a year later.
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Richard Parry-Jones retired from Ford in 2007, after 38 years with the company.
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On retiring from Ford, Richard Parry-Jones became involved on policy matters.
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Richard Parry-Jones advised the Welsh Government on economic development, transport, energy and IT infrastructure.
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Richard Parry-Jones worked with central government, including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, where he chaired the new Automotive Innovation and Growth Team and then the Automotive Council UK which supports the automotive industry in Britain.
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In July 2012, Richard Parry-Jones became the chairman of Network Rail, a position he retained for nearly three years.
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Richard Parry-Jones was non-executive chairman of Kelda Group, non-executive director of GKN plc and Cosworth Group Holdings and a council member of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and Bangor University.
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Richard Parry-Jones was a rugby fan, having played as a schoolboy.
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Richard Parry-Jones died in a tractor accident on his Welsh farm.
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In developing automobile dynamics, Richard Parry-Jones became well known for suggesting that a great deal could be learned about a vehicle's dynamics within a simple 50 Metre Test, rather than testing the vehicle at top speed, Richard Parry-Jones insisted that engineers drive very slowly for 50 metres, sensing the subtleties of the vehicle's dynamics.
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Richard Parry-Jones was named Man of the Year in 1994 by the British publication Autocar and in 1997 by Automobile Magazine.
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Richard Parry-Jones was an elected Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
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Richard Parry-Jones was appointed a CBE in the 2005 New Year Honours for services to the automobile industry.
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In 2005 Richard Parry-Jones received an Honorary Fellowship by his 'home' University of Wales in the North Wales town.
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Richard Parry-Jones was a Visiting Professor and Fellow at the university.