A RETIRED QinetiQ scientist whose electronics skills were put to good use in the Falklands War has had a building on the company’s Malvern campus named after him.

Colin Boyne, who retired from the defence contractor at the end of last year, returned to the site off St Andrew’s Road to see the unveiling of the plaque at the new building.

The honour, conferred by a vote of his QinetiQ colleagues, recognises his achievements at the company and his influence in the wider science and technology industry.

Dr Boyne, who lives in Welland, came to Malvern in 1977 from university, having obtained a first-class degree in physics, followed by a PhD in low-temperature quantum physics.

In 1982, he was awarded an MBE for his contribution to the Falklands conflict, during which he and his team created new electronic packages for British forces in a very short time.

He went on to become technical director of various QinetiQ divisions, creating world-leading capabilities at Malvern, which is recognised internationally for its outstanding track record of innovation. In 2004, he was awarded an OBE for services to the defence industry.

He said: “It was a wonderful place to work. It has a very high concentration of the most gifted scientists and engineers and it has been a pleasure to work with such people.”

QinetiQ managing director Jeremy Ward said: “We’re delighted to name a building after Colin Boyne and recognise his achievements in this way.

“He made a huge contribution to not only QinetiQ as a company but the wider science and technology industry as a whole, which was recognised by the award of an OBE in 2004.”