David Hutchins (MSc Quality and Reliability Engineering, 1976)

I achieved my Masters degree in the Production Engineering Department at the University of Birmingham in 1976 and have spent much of my career working in quality management and leadership development, including founding the David Hutchins International Quality College in 2010.

In November 2025, I was awarded the Deming Distinguished Practice Award 2025 by the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers. In my field of work this is internationally recognised to be the highest award globally. It is rarely ever awarded to foreigners and I am the first European to have achieved it.

In my award speech I mentioned the University being part of my foundation and I hope this success proves inspiring to current and future students.