A former boss of the Barrow shipyard and ex-chief executive of HS2 is the keynote speaker at an event in the town later this month.

Simon Kirby has been invited by Barrow & District Association of Engineers to the event at the Forum on Wednesday, November 20, where he will also present bursaries to local students and apprentices.

He will be talking about his working life in his speech, A Career Inspired by Engineering.

Simon began as an apprentice with British Rail, and went to university to study mechanical engineering.

After leaving university, he joined VSEL and rose to CEO in the local shipyard where he also had the responsibility of BAE Systems shipyards on the Clyde.

After leaving the shipyards, in 2003 he became project director at Network Rail, where he was responsible for major capital projects such as electrification, Kings Cross and Thameslink.

Simon then moved to take up the role of CEO of HS2, and latterly joined Rolls-Royce as chief operating officer.

Denis Lidstone, of the association, said: “We are very pleased that Simon has agreed to speak to us and present these awards."

Visit www.bdae.co.uk for more information.