Worcester CEO included in Queen's birthday honours list

Richard Soper awarded CBE

Richard Soper, our Chief Executive Officer, has been declared a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the heating and renewable technologies industries.

The title was pronounced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list on 16 June 2012.

Career background

Richard began his career in the heating industry as an apprentice gas engineer, gaining invaluable practical experience which provided an important insight into the needs of the installer.

He then moved into sales and marketing before joining Worcester Engineering (as it was then known) in 1977, finally becoming Managing Director, a position he held for over 10 years.

In 2011, Richard became Chief Executive Officer as Carl Arntzen took up the role of Managing Director.

Innovation

Richard has been influential in the development of many product innovations, including the promotion of the combination boiler and the high-efficiency condensing boiler, which have helped to meet customer demand and position the Worcester brand as a market leader within the UK’s heating industry.

In recent years, Richard has overseen the expansion of the company’s product range to include many renewable technologies such as heat pumps and solar water heating.

Dedication to the heating industry

Richard has also committed personal time, energy and business expertise to the heating industry as a whole; he was heavily involved with the EUA, holds the position of a past President of the CIPHE and also is an active member of the CPA

More recently, Richard’s commitment to the industry has seen him open his own Worcestershire home as a training facility for the present generation of heating engineers and local school children keen to learn about the importance of energy efficiency.

Richard is also involved in many community activities and events including supporting schools in and around Worcester.

Words from Richard

Richard commented: “I am honoured to be awarded a CBE. This is a very proud day for my family and I, but it is also recognition of the contribution that many individuals and employees at Worcester, Bosch Group have made to the heating and renewable industries over many decades.”

Further information

Read more about our company here

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Date published: 4th July, 2012

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