Former Llantwit Major School pupil, Steve Dalton OBE, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Glamorgan in recognition for his significant contribution to the manufacturing industry.
The Fellowship was presented to Mr Dalton, at St. David’s Hall, Cardiff by the Rt Hon, Lord Morris of Aberavon KG QC, Chancellor of University of Glamorgan.
Mr Dalton was brought up in the town of Llantwit Major and since leaving school he has established himself in the world of business and manufacturing. He has been Managing Director of Sony UK Technology Centre (UKTec) since 2005 and in that time he has been a key figure in the transition of the business. Mr Dalton has transformed the Pencoed-based business from a manufacturer of high–volume CRT TV products into a high-value, high-skill and low-volume manufacturer of high-definition, professional and broadcast camera equipment. Mr Dalton has maintained the Sony UK Technology Centre’s business competitiveness and overseen the diversification of the company to ensure the site’s sustainability.
Additionally, Mr Dalton has developed the only customer service centre for Sony in the UK and has created a state-of-the-art facility business incubation centre for start-up companies in the media, digital, gaming and renewable sectors, which is already home to 22 organisations.
Having joined the Sony Corporation in 1983 as a graduate electrical test jig designer Mr Dalton was quickly promoted through various stages of his career. Increasing his responsibilities to include; managing the site’s manufacturing processes; leading the organisation’s new business start-ups in digital set-top receivers and the introduction of broadcast and professional camera manufacturing for worldwide distribution.
Julie Lydon, Vice-Chancellor Professor University of Glamorgan said; “Glamorgan’s engagement with key organisations like Sony is key to its success at producing graduates who possess the skills needed to enter the workplace. Steve is a great inspiration and role model to our students and we are proud to have presented him with this honorary award.”
In receiving his award Mr Dalton stated; “It is a great privilege and honour to be given a Fellowship in recognition for my services to the manufacturing industry. As a discipline, engineering has always been an industry I have been fascinated in and it has helped me in my career. By learning how to simplify business processes, manufacturing techniques and organisational management in to small manageable pieces I have been able to improve the site’s sustainability and longevity.
“As an individual I always look at how to improve my knowledge and development my skill base. Throughout my career I have had to train myself to analyse complex business situations, find alternative business opportunities, whilst using my team in Pencoed – who are my greatest asset – to deliver world class results. I believe the key to success, and indeed my success, is to be able to not only understand a process, but also the inputs that are required to make that process succeed.”
Mr Dalton has also received an OBE for his services to industry in Wales, in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2011 New Years Honours List. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and was awarded the Institute of Directors, Director of the Year, South Wales Award earlier this year.
Honorary Fellowships are given in recognition of outstanding achievement by an individual in a given field or profession.