Brief History of the Institute of Circuit Technology
In 1964 a group of enthusiastic Individuals, under the sponsorship of Kodak Ltd., who were then active in supplying Photo resists to the infant Printed Circuit Industry, set up an inaugural Meeting with the express object of forming an Institute or Society.
Subsequently a Printed Circuit Group was formed but unfortunately, due to lack of support from the PCB Processors of the day, it ran into financial difficulties. As a result the group instead allied itself to the Printed Circuit Group of The Institute of Metal Finishing.
In 1974, ten years later when the Industry had become more established, and after a spell as the Association of Circuit Technologists (ACT), The Institute of Circuit Technology (ICT) was formed and soon could boast over 400 Members with a brief to reflect the technologies of the day in Printed Circuit Board Manufacture.
The first elected ICT Council formed in 1974 was composed of 7 Members. They were D.A.Taylor as Chairman, W.Macleod Ross, H.G.Manfield, P.Millett, M.Webberley, R.A.Neale and R.V.Broughton.
LIST OF ICT CHAIRMEN
1974- 1977 Douglas Taylor First ICT Chairman
1977-1984 Reuben Josephs
1984-1986 J.B.O’Hara
1986-1988 David Clayton
1988-1990 Douglas Taylor
1990-1992 John Walker
1992-1994 Rex Rozario
1994-1998 Adrian Freakes
1998-2000 David Woodley
2000-2002 Steve Payne
2002-2004 Chris Wall
2004-2007 Andrew Hall
2007-2009 Steve Payne
2009-2015 Martin Goosey
2015-2020 Andrew Cobley
2020- Emma Hudson
The ICT has been responsible for many Initiatives, the most significant being as a Founder Member of the World Convention under our then Chairman, Reuben Josephs. The first World Convention was held at the Café Royal in 1978 which was attended by over 1000 delegates from all over the world.
It was in 1984 that another Organisation, the Printed Circuit Association (PCA) came into being aimed at representing the commercial aspects of the new Industry. Inevitably there was some transfer of Personnel from the ICT to this new body which effectively halved its membership. However both Organisations worked harmoniously together for many years each going their own way without confliction. However it was recognised at the time by both Parties that such a fragmented representation of the PCB Industry was inefficient and in 1988 the Buzz Word was "Unification". After much discussion between the two parties concerned the Printed Circuit Interconnection Federation (PCIF) was formed. Eventually the fortunes of the PCIF suffered when this body ultimately became a pawn in a progression of larger Trade Organisations ending up as a member of Intellect.
The ICT's Training Courses, held regularly at the External Studies Dept. of Oxford University under the direction of Pat Kirby, grew to be extremely popular but suffered a major set back in the 1989 recession when few delegates registered and the project became uneconomical and had to be discontinued. Subsequently several attempts were made to revive the Courses but without success.
Through the various transformations of ownership the ICT has retained its identity, maintaining an active Council and running its own activities. One attractive feature of the Institute is its grading system in which Persons entering the ICT are accessed on their qualifications and experience and are awarded grades to represent their level of competence. These grades are Fellows, Full Members, Associate Members and Students and can act as guidance to potential Employers should the situation arise.
Although now in the 21st. Century, with a depleted Printed Circuit Industry, the ICT is once again an independent body, embarking on an expansion phase to revive it membership. The ICT has placed an emphasis on the holding of Evening Technical Seminars located in various parts of the country organised by our Director Bill Wilkie and is supported mainly by Supply Houses. To supplement this the ICT regularly holds One Day Symposia which concentrate on the very latest technology which appeals to the more imaginative Engineers of our Industry. Further to these its Educational Activities are once again in full swing with Courses held at Loughborough University and at other locations.
In 2014 the ICT held an inaugural Dinner, hosted by our then Chairman Martin Goosey, to celebrate their 40th Anniversary having by now achieved a membership of over 300 and still rising.
John B. Walker
Hon Sec ICT
September 2014