AN influential businessman and academic who lives in Kilmacolm has spoken of his delight at being named in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Professor Graham Wren was made an OBE on Friday night for services to education, science and engineering.

Mr Wren has over 40 years' experience across the sectors and has been involved with more than 30 companies and research centres from working in sales and business development to leading as chairman and chief executive.

For the last decade, Prof Wren has worked part-time at the University of Strathclyde and is a special advisor to the principal.

He was one of two Inverclyde representatives on the honours list, along with Greenock-born civil servant John Reid.

Prof Wren said: "I am delighted that my contributions to education, science and engineering have been recognised in this way. "My work at Strathclyde is of course as part of a team and it has been my privilege to work with Strathclyde's principal, Professor Sir Jim McDonald, and the many talented colleagues from across the university and beyond to play my part in our growth and engagement with industry over the years."

Mr Wren has been spent most of his career working in advanced technology and science.

He has represented the UK Government on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) committees as an expert, has given evidence to UK Parliament select committees and has sat on numerous government and industry committees.

Mr Wren was also on the Scottish Science Advisory Committee for two sessions - the committee which advises the Scottish Government.

During his time at Strathclyde, he has overseen a number of ambitious projects where the university is engaging with industry to produce innovative technology in areas as diverse as renewable energy, aerospace, nuclear and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Prof Wren was the initial project director for the ambitious £65 million National Manufacturing Institute Scotland which will be built next to Glasgow Airport.

It will be part of a wider Advanced Manufacturing Park, which has now raised over £300m and is due to open in 2021.

Mr Wren's has also worked with many international companies assisting them in business strategy and worked with colleagues to help raise over £600m for industry-focused research.

In his earlier career, he was managing director of the world's first private sector forensic science service, ran government laboratories and was also European chairman and MD of GSE Systems, the aerospace and power systems simulation company.

He is a chartered engineer, director and marketer and also a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Institute of Engineering and Technology, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Directors.