One of the leading figures in UK bitumen production, Professor John Read, has been elected as an honorary fellow of the Institute of Asphalt Technology (IAT), 35 years after he joined the institute.
Professor Read is best known for his 28-year tenure at Shell, where he rose to become general manager for specialities technology (bitumen and sulphur), making him one of the most important people in the UK's asphalt industry. He has since set up his own enterprise as the founder director of BituCore Inc. and Bentley Bitumen Ltd.
In a career spanning nearly four decades so far, Professor Read has racked up over 150 public presentations at conferences, industry associations and universities, and had more than 100 papers, articles, and technical brochures published, including the ‘internationally renowned' Shell Bitumen Handbook.
Commenting on this recognition, Professor Read said that he would ‘encourage anybody, particularly the young asphalt professionals (YAPs) out there, to join and take advantage' of what the institute has to offer.
While bestowing the recognition on Professor Read – alongside two other honorary fellows, Geoff Rowe and Ian Cross – IAT president Helen Bailey said: ‘Honorary Fellowship is one of the highest recognitions the Institute can bestow, awarded to those whose contribution, leadership and impact have left a lasting mark on both the profession and the wider community.
‘Each of the recipients has made an outstanding contribution in their own way, and it is only right that we take a moment to recognise and celebrate that achievement together this evening.'
Professor Read had also served two terms as the vice-president of Eurobitume, 20 years as Shell's primary director on the Asphalt Institute (US) and sat on the Council of the Institute of Asphalt Technology in the UK for eight years, where he spearheaded the complete rewrite of the Derby Honours Degree Courses.
