LOCAL MARINE EXPERT APPOINTED AN HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT

In recognition of a long and distinguished career in the marine engineering industry, Jack Ayles C.Eng, F.IMarEST has been appointed a Vice-President and presented with the President’s Commendation Award by The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST). The IMarEST is the leading membership body and learned society for marine professionals, industry, research and education, with 50 branches and 15,000 members in over a hundred countries worldwide.

“We were delighted that Jack (pictured right) could be with us at our recent Annual Dinner to receive his Vice-President's award from our 106th President, Professor Yoo Sang Choo,” explains IMarEST’s Chief Executive, Keith Read CBE. “This is an extremely special award that is rarely given, but I can think of no more deserving recipient than Jack Ayles.

“Astonishingly his first contact with our Institute (then the Institute of Marine Engineering) took place over 60 years ago when he attended his first branch meeting way back in 1947, and he has been a member for 39 years. Over this time he became increasingly involved and it is no exaggeration to say that he has been a good friend and servant of the Institute virtually all his adult life and career. We thank him for his work and support over such a long period, and look forward to many more years of his involvement. What continues to be of great importance is Jack’s ongoing commitment to encouraging young people to take an interest in engineering.”

As Paul Hancock, current chairman of IMarEST’s Wales Branch, explains: "His interest in this Branch and support for members over the past thirty-one years have been quite exceptional. The continuing professional development of many of our colleagues has perhaps been due to his initiatives and encouragement since coming to work and live in south Wales. We congratulate him on his Award.”

About Jack Ayles
Cardiff resident Jack Ayles was born in Ringwood, Hampshire and trained as an Electrical Engineer with John I Thornycroft & Co. (Shipbuilders and Engineers) in Southampton. He subsequently served at sea as an Electrical Engineer Officer with the Cunard S. S. Co. It was in Southampton that he first became involved in the Institute and attended lectures at the Southern Joint Branch during the period 1946 – 1963.

The second phase of Jack’s career took him in 1963 to Liverpool where he joined the staff of Riversdale Technical College. It was here that he became involved in the activities of the North West England Branch and was formally elected as a Member of the Institute in 1969. It was during this period that Jack met and married Mildred setting up home in Childwall Valley Road. Their first born, daughter Helen Elizabeth duly arrived - her Christening taking place at Childwall Abbey.

The third, and so far the longest, chapter in his career started in 1975 when he moved to Wales to become Principal Lecturer, School of Maritime Studies in Cardiff. He ultimately became Head of the School and represented the college on a wide range of nautical and other organizations. It was also during this period that Jack became deeply involved in the activities of the Institute in South Wales. The Ayles family had an addition to the family, son Andrew was born just after moving to their new home in Radyr, Cardiff. Both Helen and Andrew attended school in Radyr before graduating from University in London and Bristol respectively.

From 1975 until 2001, Jack Ayles served continuously on the Executive Committee of the Branch. In addition, he represented the then South Wales Branch on the Institute Council, Council of Engineering Institutions (CEI), Engineering Council, and PEI (Wales) and a range of industry, education and engineering working groups. Involvement in his capacity as the public affairs officer for the Engineering Council for Wales, and as a member of the ‘Women into Science and Engineering’ (WISE) initiatives, ensured that the branch and the Institute were seen to be active in Wales to the benefit of the profession of engineering in general and marine engineering in particular. On retirement in 1994 Jack became a Director of Diving & Marine (Engineering) Ltd based in Barry/Sully in the Vale of Glamorgan. He also formed his own Consultancy business..

Jack has also had full and active involvement with nautical charities having been: Vice-President Seafarers (UK) (formerly the KGFS); Vice-President RNLI, committee member for the Mission to Seafarers; and Life governor of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets. He has been a member of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, the Cardiff Business Club and the Rotary Club of Llandaff (President, 1995-6 and 2005-6).

One further avenue of service has been Jack's election as a Liveryman of the Welsh Livery Guild (WLG) - this year one of the the WLG liverymen, Alderman David Lewis, became the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of London.  “It was a great privilege to take part in the 608th Lord Mayor's Show on 10th November and to attend the Remembrance Day Service in Westminster Abbey on the 11th November,” says Jack.

END

Note to Editors: you can contact Jack Ayles direct for further information
Tel no   029 20 842562
Mobile  07721 611 462
Email    j.a.consultants@ntlworld.com

Issued on behalf of IMarEST by Judith Patten @ JPPR

Further press information from:
Judith Patten @ JPPR
34 Ellerker Gardens, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 6AA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8241 1912; Fax: +44 (0) 20 8940 6211
Email: judithpatten@wwmail.co.uk

or

Suki Kalsi @ IMarEST
80 Coleman Street, London EC2R 5BJ, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7382 2600:  Fax: +44 (0) 20 7382 2670
Email: suki.kalsi@imarest.org