HONORARY BGA MEMBER: GRAHAM PENNING IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Celebrating Graham Penning

Honorary Member of the British Gear Association

The British Gear Association (BGA) is proud to announce that Graham Penning, OBE, Hon DSc, CEng, FIMechE, has been awarded Honorary Membership — one of the highest honours the Association bestows, recognising a lifetime of leadership, education, and service to the gear and mechanical power transmission community.

A Lifelong Passion for Gears

Graham Penning’s connection with gears began over 50 years ago. In January 1973 he joined David Brown Gear Industries in Huddersfield, originally expecting to spend just two years learning about gears. That plan quickly vanished — instead, he found a lifelong vocation in gear and gearbox technology that would define his career.

His early work involved stress analysis and torsional vibration studies, and from this technical foundation he progressed through leadership roles, eventually becoming a senior figure within one of the UK’s most renowned gearbox manufacturers. Over the decades he has travelled the globe, applying and sharing his knowledge with engineers and organisations in every major industrial sector.

Championing Education and Knowledge Transfer

Perhaps one of Graham’s most enduring contributions to the industry is the creation of the David Brown Gear Academy — a programme designed to develop comprehensive gear technology skills for both company personnel and external learners. Over 1,000 students have completed the Academy’s courses, a testament to the importance of formalised training in ensuring future industry competence.

Graham has also been deeply involved with the BGA’s Knowledge Transfer Programme, helping to expand training, mentoring, and foundational gear technology education across the UK. Under his stewardship, the Association developed initiatives such as primary school gear workshops to engage young students in STEM and inspire future engineers.

In addition to these initiatives, he has delivered essential introductory gear training through BGA courses — including the highly regarded Virtual Gear Foundation training series — equipping industry newcomers with a solid grounding in gear fundamentals, failure modes, manufacturing, and practical design considerations.

Leadership and Industry Impact

Graham’s influence extends well beyond education. He served for over 13 years as Chairman of the British Gear Association, guiding the organisation through significant growth and strengthened industry engagement. His leadership was instrumental in expanding BGA’s training offerings, member services, and involvement in key sector events, ensuring the UK gear industry remained at the forefront of technical and business developments. Graham continues to hold position on the Executive Board of the BGA where his contribution is invaluable.

Graham handed over the reins to David Radley, Davall Gears in June 2024 at the BGA AGM. Here he is receiving his thank you gift from Professor Brian Shaw, Newcastle University, BGA Treasurer for chairing for 13 years.

Alongside his BGA involvement, Graham continues to contribute at senior levels within the engineering community as a Visiting Professor of Practice at Newcastle University and as Director of Contact Gearing Limited, an independent consultancy providing gear design, training, and engineering services.

His broader recognition within the profession — including his Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and honorary doctoral degree — reflects both his technical excellence and his dedication to service and mentorship.

A Legacy of Learning and Leadership

Honorary Membership from the British Gear Association celebrates not just individual achievement, but the lasting impact of a career dedicated to advancing gear technology and nurturing the next generation of engineers.

Graham’s work — from technical innovation and training leadership to strategic guidance and community building — has shaped the UK’s gear industry and inspired engineers around the world.

Congratulations, Graham, on this richly deserved honour. Your contributions continue to strengthen the heart of mechanical power transmission and inspire future leaders in the field.

Want to meet Graham? Why not register for Gear Foundation 1 - the first of our 2026 Training Programme online. Click here for more details.

VIRTUAL GEAR FOUNDATION 1 | BGA

Article written by:

Lynne Gough

BGA Admin