Shoreham at centre of global celebration

The global strategic, technical and environmental consultancy is planning a whole year of celebrations to mark 100 years of successful operations.

A bursary scheme has been launched for students from the Shoreham area and in the spring, a round-the-world relay of historic vehicles will be starting in the town.

The launch of the world-class, low carbon Vehicle Emissions Research Centre at Ricardo’s Shoreham Technical Centre, Bridge Works, in mid-2015 is seen as an enduring legacy for the future.

Mark Garrett, chief operating officer, said: “True sustainability is not just measured in terms of our ability to reduce the carbon we release into the atmosphere, the resources we consume or the pollution associated with the emissions of transport and industry.

“For a business to be truly sustainable it needs to do all these things, but it also needs to be commercially profitable in order to sustain its own performance and develop world-class talent for the future.

“Ricardo is one of very few companies that can demonstrate a commitment to pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency and clean technology for 100 years.

“This is clearly a cause for celebration for our employees past and present, our customers and our many other stakeholders around the world, as we look forward to many future successful years for Ricardo.”

The new Shoreham facility will enable the development of next-generation of clean, low carbon vehicles.

The company was founded by Harry Ricardo as Engine Patents Ltd on February 8, 1915, and formally registered on August 10 the same year.

Its first major success was the design of an engine which transformed the performance of the world’s first battle tank, during the First World War war.

The proceeds of this early success gave Mr Ricardo the resources to create the technical centre in Shoreham, which remains the world headquarters.

A new website (www.ricardo100.com) has been launched to keep people updated on centenary events. In the spring, there will be a book published and staff will begin the Ricardo 100 Global Challenge.