Introducing John Loughhead

Meet the new President of the CGCA

Professor Dame Julia Higgins’ tenure as President of the City and Guilds College Association (CGCA) came to an end at the association’s AGM on Wednesday 20 May 2009. Dame Julia’s final undertaking was to oversee the formal election of her successor, John Loughhead.

Following his election, we wanted to know a little bit more about John Loughhead – who he is and what he’s like - so read on to gain an insight into the CGCA’s new president.

What did you study at Imperial College?
Mechanical Engineering, followed by an MSc in heat transfer engineering and a research period in computational fluid dynamics

What’s your fondest memory of being a student?
The flip answer is finishing and moving into a job! But it was probably the stimulating interactions with those around me, both socially and professionally. We were the first phase of the big expansion in university education provision, and for many of us we were the first of our families to attend university. Moving to London to do it was another bonus.

What makes you most proud of being an alumnus of the CGCA?
Naturally there is a great cachet in the engineering world both nationally and internationally of being an alumnus, and I’ve had the opportunity to benefit from that and, hopefully, help to demonstrate why it’s justified.

What has been the most interesting moment of your career?
I have, perhaps fortunately, had a career that has been full of interest throughout and to pick one moment is almost impossible. Spending 12 years based in Paris and not only having to work in French, but also to understand and operate within the French technocratic establishment is certainly amongst the contenders.

What trait do you most value in your friends and colleagues?
Honesty, integrity, and always an ability to enjoy the trivial and absurd – something we all encounter frequently in life.

Describe yourself in three words.
Sociable, interested, stubborn.

How do you feel about being elected CGCA president?
I am both surprised and honoured to hold the position. Looking back I have benefited enormously, both professionally and personally, from my time in City and Guilds and the people I met there, a number of whom I’m still in contact with regularly. I hope during my year I’ll be able to put a little back into the organisation.

What will be your first priority as CGCA president?
The world continues to change and we have to respond to that. My priority is therefore to help CGCA anticipate how it needs to respond, develop a clear vision of its future role, and implement it without losing the traditions and understanding of its history and culture. It’s an unusual organisation that must support members from 20 to 90 years of age, spanning 70 years of the life of the City and Guilds, so it must be approached with great sensitivity.