Renishaw chairman receives Decade of Business Excellence Award

Sir David, who was described in the citation as "a champion of British engineering and innovation', was the unanimous choice of the Advisory Board for this prestigious award which recognises the business personality who best represents achievement and longevity, and is synonymous with their business sector in the UK. Previous winners include Lord Wolfson, CEO, Next and Terry Leahy, CEO, Tesco, and Sir David is the first head of an engineering business to be honoured.

Tim Jotischky, Head of Business at Telegraph Media Group says: "Each of the nominees were impressive champions of their respective industries, but the Board was unanimous in its choice of winner. Sir David McMurtry is a highly acclaimed engineer, designer and innovator, and an inspirational role model for young engineers. He exemplifies all that is best about British engineering and innovation and during 40 years at the helm of Renishaw has also proved himself a very astute businessman. We are delighted that the award will bring wider recognition to an outstanding British business and, in particular, Sir David's role in training a new generation of engineers".

Sir James Dyson, inventor and founder of Dyson Ltd says: "I think he's a wonderful example of someone who's taken a new technology idea and turned it into a business. In the measurement field they are very well known. He's also proved that engineers can build and run businesses, which some people claim we can't."

John Pethica, Physical Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society says: "He (Sir David) is one of the greats of his area. He represents all the best values - exceptional technical quality and scientific leadership. You could say he's the Steve Jobs of his industry."

In a change from convention, Sir David was presented with his award by Lucy Ackland, a project manager at Renishaw, who joined the company as an apprentice at the age of 16 and last year graduated with a first-class honours degree in engineering. Speaking immediately after receiving his award in front of 1200 attendees Sir David said, "This award puts UK high-tech manufacturing in focus as a wealth creating activity, of which we need an awful lot more."

A special video made by The Telegraph to commemorate Sir David's award can be seen at bit.ly/18GVfgB

The Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business 2013 - Citation

Tim Jotischky, Head of Business at Telegraph Media Group, explains the qualities the judges looked for in choosing the winner of The Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business: "In the twelve years that the National Business Awards have been recognising excellence, and The Daily Telegraph has supported this effort as its media partner, an impressive "Alumni' of businesses and business leaders have been handed gongs for their achievements.

While awards such as New Business of the Year celebrate the enterprising spirit of challengers and entrepreneurs, The Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business was created to recognise the business personality who best represents achievement, impact and longevity. They live and breathe their business, demonstrating the value of growing with an organisation and becoming an industry leader.

This award acknowledges the winner's sustained achievements within the business community during a distinguished career. These strategic thinkers combine a big picture perspective with in-depth knowledge; they instil in their staff the ambition and confidence to achieve great things. These are the leaders who have consistently delivered exceptional performance year after year.

Previous recipients include Paul Walsh (2009), Sir Terry Leahy (2010), Lord Wolfson (2011), and Kate Swann (2012). Nominees for this year's Award were put forward by the National Business Awards Advisory Board, a steering committee made up of winners, judges and advocates of the Awards. Each of the nominees were impressive champions of their respective industries but the Board was unanimous in its choice of winner.

Sir David McMurtry, CEO and Chairman of Renishaw, is a highly acclaimed engineer, designer and innovator and an inspirational rote model for young engineers. A true champion of British engineering, Sir David became a Royal Designer for Industry in 1989, was awarded the CBE in 1994, knighted in 2001 for design and innovation and was formally accepted as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2011. Since its formation in 1973, Renishaw has won 16 Queen's Awards, which recognise Technological Achievement, Export Achievement and Enterprise (Innovation). It also won the Grant Thornton Mid Cap Business of the Year award at the National Business Awards in 2011.

Sir David is a deserved recipient of Decade in Excellence Business Award: a champion of British engineering and innovation. On behalf of The Telegraph Media Group, congratulations to this year's inspirational winner and to all of the finalists and winners of the National Business Awards in 2013."

To learn more about Renishaw, please go to www.renishaw.com.