Dr John C Taylor has been honoured by Corpus Christi College, his old Cambridge College, by creating him an Honorary Fellow. The ceremony was conducted by the Master, Professor Haroon Ahmed ScD FREng and the other Fellows of the College in the College Chapel.

Corpus Christi is unique of all the Oxford and Cambridge colleges in being founded in 1352, not by Royalty, but by two Cambridge City Guilds. Marking the start of the 650th Anniversary celebrations the Procession of the Fellows, including Dr Taylor, from the College to the City Guild Hall to be met by the Mayor, Mace and the Counsellors, who then proceeded to Great St Mary's Church. They were greeted by the Vice Chancellor and all the Masters of the other Cambridge colleges.

Dr Taylor said "It was fortuitous that my election enabled me to take part in the 650th Anniversary celebration procession. The police closed the City centre for the procession and the academic robes of the Doctors made quite a spectacle against the ancient buildings of the University and City. I was very proud and privileged to take part".

Born in 1936 in Buxton, Derbyshire, Dr Taylor was educated at King William's College in the Isle of Man before studying Natural Sciences at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. After graduation in 1959, he joined Otter Controls Ltd in Buxton as Graduate Trainee, eventually becoming Chairman 12 years later. Dr Taylor inherited his father Eric's inventive mind - Eric was also educated at King William's College - and he made many inventions for the company, many of which are still in use today.

Dr Taylor joined Castletown Thermostats Ltd on the Isle of Man in 1977 as a Director and guided the company to complete independence, changing the name to STRIX Ltd in 1981. Whilst Chairman of STRIX, John designed a range of kettle controls that changed the face of the domestic electric kettles - STRIX kettle controls now operate approximately 1 billion times a day throughout the world!

Recognition of STRIX' pre-eminent position started with the Manufacturing Excellence Award in 1995, followed by being named British Manufacturer of the Year and gaining the Isle of Man Enterprise Award. Dr Taylor helped STRIX to attain three of the coveted Queen's Awards - in 1995 and again in 1998 - for Export Achievement. In 2000, STRIX' underfloor heating system and 360º cordless system invented by Dr Taylor was awarded the exclusive Queen's Award for Enterprise:Innovation.

In 2000, Dr Taylor's personnel achievement of over 150 successful inventions patented in the British Patent office and several hundred corresponding patents overseas was recognised through the award of an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering by UMIST.

Dr Taylor retired from executive duties for STRIX, but remains a Director of STRIX Group Ltd. He is a Visiting Professor of UMIST at the Manchester Science Enterprise Centre. He joined the Board of the Manx Electricity Authority in August 2000 and has been re-appointed by the newly elected Government for a further term.