Arthur Hawkins

Sir Arthur Ernest Hawkins OBE FIMechE FIEE (10 June 1913 – 13 January 1999) was an English mechanical and electrical engineer. Born in Lympley Stoke, Bath, Somerset and educated at the Great Yarmouth High School. He joined the CEGB and was heavily involved in the 275 kV and 400 kV Supergrid in the department of the Transmission Project Group. He married Laura Judith Tallent Draper in Marylebone Middlesex 1939.[2] At the inception of the first 2000 MW power station West Burton in 1969 Arthur was then in charge of the CEGB Midlands Region based in Moseley Birmingham. He was made chairman of the CEGB in 1972 preceded by Sir Stanley Brown and proceeded by Glyn England in 1977. In June 1976 he was awarded the OBE as Chairman of the CEGB.[3]

For the U.S. Navy aviator, see Arthur Ray Hawkins. For the British Olympic wrestler, see Arthur Hawkins (wrestler).

Sir Arthur Hawkins
Born	Arthur Ernest Hawkins 10 June 1913 Limpley Stoke, Bath, Somerset
Died	13 January 1999 (1999-01-14) (aged 85) Kensington and Chelsea
Nationality	British
Alma mater	University of Surrey Battersea[1] 1956
Known for	CEGB
Spouse(s)	Laura Judith Tallent Draper

After retirement he served as a director with the Community of St Andrew Trust at Lincoln's Inn, London. He is survived by his son Andrew Hawkins and daughter Ruth Hawkins.

After privatisation of the industry in 1991 commentators made the link to the lack of British energy policy to the days of the CEGB ‘Oh for the glory days of Sir Arthur Hawkins and the Central Electricity Generating Board. I never thought I'd say that about an organisation that seemed, at the time, to embody the very worst aspects of post-war corporatism and central government planning. But compared with the abject chaos into which British energy policy has descended since privatisation, the absolute rule of the CEGB seems a paragon of virtue.’[4]

References

1. "Lost 'alumini'". Forever Surrey – University of Surrey. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
2. Ollivier, Kim. "Family Tree". ollivier.co.nz. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
3. "Supplement". The London Gazette. 46919: 8016. 4 June 1976.
4. Warner, Jeremy (2011). "The Government's energy policy leaves everyone in the dark". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 6 July 2011.

Business positions
Preceded by Sir Stanley Brown	Chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Board 1972–1977	Succeeded by Glyn England