A ductile material in a brittle industry (Gold Medal Address 2007)

I am greatly honoured that you have chosen me to be recipient of the Institution’s Gold Medal. There have been many occasions when I have sat in the Institution’s lecture theatre and looked in awe and reverence at the board listing those who have been honoured in this way.

Consequently, when David Harvey telephoned to tell me that I was to receive the Institution’s Gold Medal, it took some time for me to understand what he was actually saying. I was genuinely surprised and for once in my life, quite speechless.

Having had some time to reflect on the award, I am even more surprised since previous recipients have generally come from a background of consultancy, research or academia. I seem to be almost unique in having spent most of my life in contracting and frequently in the role of specialist sub-contractor.

Whatever the reason you have decided that I should be honoured in this way, I am absolutely delighted and have no adequate way of expressing my gratitude, which I shall feel for the rest of my life.

Joe Locke MBE, FREng, MSc, CEng, FIStructE, FWeldI