MBE appointment for Coventry pioneer's airport plan
An entrepreneur who has been called a "driving force" in the development of autonomous, electric vehicles, has been appointed an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours. David Keene, 61, from Kenilworth, Warwickshire , received the award for his efforts to decarbonise airports, after he worked for a decade to launch the Auto-DollyTug, which moves luggage and cargo around six airports across the world. The founder of the Coventry-based transport firm Aurrigo said, until a letter landed on his doorstep, he would "never have believed it". "You never aspire to receive awards like these, but when they come along they spur you on to do more."
Mr Keene graduated from Coventry University in 1986 and said he was now a visiting professor. He added that Aurrigo had taken part in knowledge transfer programmes, where PhD students came to work at the site's headquarters in the city. "It's really good way for us to find new talent coming into the industry and quite often we take them on as full-time employees," he said.
The 61-year-old, who has worked in the automotive sector for more than 40 years, said the next step had to be "producing hundreds of the vehicles" to be "adopted in airports worldwide" and "making them homegrown". "Wouldn't it be fantastic if we've got manufacturing in Coventry and we're also recruiting local talent to support it?" Mr Keene said.
Other honours recipients from Coventry and Warwickshire include:Prof Jagtar Singh - the former chair of Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, is appointed a CBE for his services to the NHSFleur Sexton - the West Midlands Deputy Lieutenant is made an MBE for services to the community in Coventry Mary Mumvuri - the chief nursing officer and deputy chief executive officer at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, is made an MBE for services to Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and AutismProf Muhammad Javed - the consultant psychologist at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust is appointed OBE for services to mental healthAruna Bipin Mistry from Warwickshire is awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to higher education
Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
The Original Factory Shop launches closing down sale at another store – see full list of locations set to shut for good
THE Original Factory Shop has launched another closing-down sale as the brand pulls the shutters on another store. The discount department store has slashed the prices on everything, from clothing to gardening tools to toys. 3 Clothing rails have been tagged with percentage-off signs as high as 30 percent off. If you're looking for something stylish this summer, TOFS in Cupar, Scotland, is packed with pretty dresses, linen pieces, and jeans. There are also huge discounts across all footwear in the store - from trainers to heels. Over in the men's section, there is an abundance of polo shirts, gym vests, and t-shirts. It's worth stocking up on cleaning products and household essentials as they have a 10 percent reduction on the price. For those sweet-toothed shoppers, there are plenty of deals across all confectionery. Photos of the sale went on the Cupar store's Facebook with the caption: Up to 11 TOFS stores are already to set to close this month, including sites across Worcestershire, Durham and Cumbria . Meanwhile, another five stores across Nairn, Market Drayton, Troon, Blairgowrie and Castle Douglas have been placed up for sale. The Original Factory Shop has told The Sun that negotiations are ongoing with landlords - making it unclear whether these shops will remain open. It comes as part of a major restructuring carried out by new owner Modella Capital with a number of loss making stores having to close as result. Over June nine of these stores will close, including sites in Dorest and Durham. Another site in Middlewich is also set to close however a date is yet to be confirmed. You can see the full list of store closures here: Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire - June 26 Perth - June 28 Chester Le Street, County Durham - June 28 Arbroath, Angus - June 28 Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire - June 28 Pershore, Worcestershire - June 28 Normanton, West Yorkshire - June 28 Peterhead, Aberdeenshire - June 28 Shaftesbury, Dorset - June 28 Staveley, Cumbria - July 12 Middlewich - TBC Heswall - TBC The following stores are also up for sale: Nairn Market Drayton Troon Blairgowrie Castle Douglas Private equity firm Modella bought The Original Factory Shop back in February and has since launched a restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 TOFS stores. Modella is known for picking up struggling retailers, having also recently acquired Hobbycraft and WHSmith 's high street shops. It is set to rebrand all WHSmith high street stores to TGJones, and has brought in advisers to look at potential options for Hobbycraft. At the end of April, Modella drew up plans to initiate a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for TOFS. Companies often use CVAs to prevent insolvency, which could otherwise result in store closures or the collapse of the entire business. They allow firms to explore different strategies such as negotiating reduced rent rates with landlords. TOFS previously told The Press and Journal that a "number of loss-making stores will have to close" as part of the restructuring. 3 3
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Ex-England cricketer Syd Lawrence 'proud' to receive MBE
Former England and Gloucestershire bowler David 'Syd' Lawrence has said he is "incredibly proud" to receive an MBE in the King's Birthday 61-year-old, who in 1988 became the first British-born black cricketer to represent England, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year and has been working to raise money and awareness of the condition. "It is not something I ever thought would sit after my name," he said, referring to the MBE letters."I am absolutely delighted that it will do so for however long I am here and will be a part of my legacy when I am gone." Mr Lawrence took 625 wickets in 280 matches during a 16-year career at Gloucestershire that ended in also played five Test matches for England and has been the president of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club since 2022. After retiring from cricket, Mr Lawrence became a nightclub owner and amateur bodybuilder."As a proud Gloucester man who achieved his dream to play for England on the cricket field, it means a great deal to me and to my family who have supported me with all their love during some difficult times," he said."I have always put my heart and soul into any challenge I have faced and that is how I have approached things since my diagnosis with motor neurone disease."With awareness and funds for research we can make a positive difference for those who will need it in the future."Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rare, degenerative condition that affects the brain and nerves and there is no Lawrence recently launched his book, In Syd's Voice - The Extraordinary Life of Syd Lawrence, which shares the highest points of Mr Lawrence's career and intimate moments and memories of his life.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Ringmer Swimming Pool reopens after four years
A swimming pool in East Sussex has reopened after more than four decision to bring Ringmer Pool back into use was made following a public consultation by East Sussex County Council, who then worked with Lewes District Council (LDC).Wave Active has been appointed to run the facility on behalf of the local authority, and the company's CEO, Duncan Kerr, said he was "delighted" the pool reopened on pool has been closed since March 2021. Mr Kerr said: "This facility is a wonderful community asset. We worked hard to get it ready and hope many residents visit regularly to support the pool, their health and enjoy swimming."Councillor Johnny Denis, cabinet member for tourism and leisure at LDC, said: "Ringmer Pool was initially built thanks to the hard work and fundraising of local people and it's really exciting to be bringing it back for the whole community."I am delighted we got the pool up and running again."LDC invested £100,000 in Ringmer Pool as part of its £3m council investment programme to maintain local leisure Nick Bennett, deputy leader at ESCC, said it was "great" to see the facility said: "We worked with Lewes District Council to secure funding to ensure the future of Ringmer Pool for the benefit of the wider community."
