Automotive designer and engineer, Professor Gordon Murray has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in the Queen’s New Year Honours 2019. The accolade is in recognition of his ‘services to Motoring’. Murray devised and delivered creative and ground-breaking projects in the motorsport and automotive sectors.
Gordon Murray said:
“It is extremely humbling to receive a CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours. I’ve spent more than 50 years doing what I love, working with a wealth of highly-talented and creative people around the world, but primarily in the UK. From the competing during the heyday of Formula One, to designing the world’s fastest supercar, I’ve loved every minute. I’d like to dedicate this honour to all those I’ve worked with over the years and I look forward to an exciting new future for the Gordon Murray Group.”
Gordon Murray designed his first car in 1967
He moved to the UK to join the Brabham Formula One Team as Technical Director. He won two world championships – in 1981 and 1983. Then he moved to McLaren International as Technical Director in 1988 where the team won three consecutive championships – 1988, 1989 and 1990.
Having accrued 50 Grand Prix wins in Formula One, Murray went on to establish a new company – McLaren Cars Limited. The Company’s first project was the renowned McLaren F1 Road Car. A racing version won two world sports car championships as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. Murray guided several other successful projects at McLaren Cars. They culminated with the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren programme.
In 2005 Murray formed a new British company for the design, engineering, prototyping and development of vehicles. It has his name – Gordon Murray Design Limited. The Surrey-based company has a global reputation as one of the finest automotive design teams in the world and is responsible for an innovative and disruptive manufacturing technology: iStream®.
It is extremely humbling to receive a CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours. I’ve spent more than 50 years doing what I love, working with a wealth of highly-talented and creative people around the world, but primarily in the UK – Professor Gordon Murray CBE
— Gordon Murray Design (@PlanetGMD) December 29, 2018
