Sir (Gerard) Vincent Sebastian de Ferranti (1893–1980)
1893 Born, second son of Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti at Tedworth Square, Chelsea, London.
Secondary education, at Repton School, Derbyshire,
Engineering training at Yarrow and Co, Scotstoun[1]
1913 Became a student member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers
1914 Living at Scotstounhill, Glasgow
WWI Enlisted at the outbreak of war. Served with the Royal Engineers. Saw action at Gallipoli and in the Middle East. Awarded the Military Cross. Rose to the rank of captain.
1917 of Baslow, Derbys.
1919 Married Dorothy Hettie Wilson (1901–1985). they raised two sons and three daughters.
By 1921 he had taken over as manager of the transformer department, helping to establish Ferranti Ltd as Britain's leading firm in the design and production of the largest units.
Having witnessed the firm's 1903 crisis, Vincent recognized the need to maintain a healthy balance sheet; throughout his career he stressed the need to maintain a balance between technological and financial priorities.
1924 of Hollinwood, Lancs.
1930 As eldest surviving son, he took over as chairman of Ferranti Ltd after the death of his father.
1938 Chairman of British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association
1939 Vincent G S Ziani De Ferranti, Managing director, general electrical engineer, Captain Royal Engineers, deferrant, lived in Kensington[2]
1940 Although a reserve officer, he was directed back to work at Ferranti Ltd where he oversaw the development of defence electronics, fuzes, radar, fire control and navigational equipment.
1946 Became President of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, the first time a son had been elected to the position previously held by his father.
1948 Knighted in recognition of his firm's contribution to the war effort
Under his leadership, Ferranti Ltd established a position as one of Britain's leading firms in electronics, avionics, and electrical engineering.
1957 President of British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association
1963 Retired from the chairmanship of Ferranti[3]; he was succeeded by his son Sebastian.
His son Basil was deputy chairman
1980 Sir Gerard Vincent Sebastian Ziani De Ferranti died in Macclesfield[4]
See Also
Sources of Information
- Electrical engineer lists
- Biography of Vincent Sebastian De Ferranti, ODNB