An Edinburgh Napier Technical College graduate who went on to design for some of the largest car manufacturers in the world has been awarded an honorary degree by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU).
Moray Callum, 64, studied industrial design at ENU’s forerunner, Napier Technical College, before he took the motoring world by storm, working for brands such as Aston Martin, Chrysler, Peugeot, Ghia and Mazda. Not only that but Moray also spent time in Japan, the US, France and Italy during a career that has spanned almost four decades.
The Dumfries born man has been labelled as one of the auto industry’s most influential design leaders. He spent most of his time with the American giant, Ford, and was their first ever non-American to hold the title of vice president for design at their US motoring giant.
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At a recent graduation ceremony at the Usher Hall in the capital, Moray was given an honorary degree of doctor of design by the university’s chancellor Will Whitehorn.
Moray said: “It is a real privilege to be awarded this degree, I feel very grateful for it. It feels particularly fitting as it was here where I decided what I wanted to do with my life.
“Edinburgh Napier was the starting point – the people here helped me realise where I wanted to go with my career. I would like to thank those who have helped me along the way.”
The design guru helped to launch the Ford GT, the successor to the 1960s classic GT40 and also brought back the Ford Mustang in 2015. He also helped create and introduce the 2021 F-150 Mustang Mach-E which he is pictured with on campus.
Other best-selling models he worked on include the Ford Transit and the F-series, as well as leading the redesign of the Mazda 5 while working in Japan in the early 2000s. The award of Moray’s Honorary Degree follows his retirement from Ford in May of last year, marking an end to seven years as vice president and a 38-year product development career in the industry.
Receiving an honorary doctorate alongside Moray was another Edinburgh graduate, Paul Atkinson. Paul came to Edinburgh in 1987 and went on to start Direct Resources and RecruitmentScotland.com before raking in millions of pounds after selling them off.
As a visiting professor at Napier’s business school and member of the advisory board, Paul’s honorary degree further represents his close relationship with the university. Accepting the title, he said: “I am a bit overawed, but delighted to here today and humbled to receive such a prestigious award.
“I wouldn’t be here without the support of my family, friends and business colleagues through the years.
“My father was a self-made businessman and farmer in South Yorkshire and it’s his hard work, resilience, integrity and love of his friends and family that inspired me in my journey.”
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