Sir Robert Telford (Marconi manager)

Location

Marconi Building, Hall Street

About

Robert Telford was born in 1915 in Liverpool and grew up within the area. He joined the Marconi Company Ltd as a £2.50-per-week management trainee in 1937.

After three years, he became the manager of the Hackbridge Works and was later promoted to managing director of Marconi in Brazil in 1946-1950. Telford returned to the UK, following the takeover of Marconi by English Electric. He then took up positions as an assistant to the general manager and general works manager, before serving as general manager between 1961 and 1965.

After General Electric purchased the company, Robert Telford became managing director of GEC-Marconi Electronics Co, a position he held until he retired in 1984. He became life president of the company, an honour only before granted to the brothers Bob and Guglielmo of the founding Marconi Family. During this time, Telford also received a CBE and a knighthood in 1978.

Sir Robert Telford was a technical wizard who oversaw the development of many products and innovations when Britain was at the cutting edge of technology. This included radar, airborne missiles, television, TV cameras, satellites and defence systems.

Following his retirement, Telford served on a number of advisory groups. He passed away in 2008 aged 92.