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EurIng Professor Dave Cooper MBE, CEO of LECS UK, has been appointed Chair of The Rumford Club, a social dining and debating club, that attracts consultants, contractors, manufacturers, educators, researchers and many more across the engineering and construction sectors, to come together to discuss and debate key industry topics alongside a keynote speaker.
Cooper takes over from Derek Allen, who chaired the Club for the 2024 – 2025 term. The next Club season starts in October 2025 with a programme of keynote speakers for the year and Cooper is keen to encourage new members to join.
He said: “I have been a member of the Rumford Club for over 10 years, and have enjoyed each dinner and keynote speaker – always coming away with new perspectives and knowledge. It’s a privilege to chair the Club that has been part of my own life-long learning journey, and I would like to encourage new member applications from across the board.
“I thank our out-going chair, Derek Allen, for his incredible term at the helm and I hope to continue the Rumford tradition of education, knowledge sharing, debate and friendship among professionals in this rapidly innovating sector.”
The Rumford Club’s next meeting is October 16, 2025 and welcomes Ruth Carter, CEO and Anastasia Mylona, Technical Director, of CIBSE as keynote speakers. The calendar of events, and details on how to become a member are available on the Club’s website.
Cooper is a distinguished engineer with over 40 years of experience in the lift and escalator industry. His contributions to the industry were recognised with an MBE in 2023, further cementing his legacy as a leader in the field.
His career began with the British Railways Board before joining KONE, and subsequently Royal Insurance UK. As CEO of LECS UK he has led the company to become a prominent consultancy in the lift and escalator sector, directing numerous award-winning projects worldwide. His portfolio spans lifts, escalators, passenger walkways, façade access systems and cable cars, showcasing his broad expertise in design, installation, modernisation, safety and project management.
Alongside his day job at LECS UK, Cooper is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Northampton, and a Fellow of several prestigious engineering institutions, including IET, IMechE and is CIBSE’s President Elect for 2025/26.
