Kingston University has awarded an Honorary Doctor of Engineering to distinguished alumnus Christos Delantonis, Senior Programme Manager at McLaren and a long‑standing supporter of the University’s engineering community.
Mr Delantonis graduated from Kingston University with a BSc in Automotive Engineering in 1997 followed by an MSc in Advanced Manufacturing Systems in 1999. He credits his time at the University with shaping both his technical foundations and his commitment to collaborative, practical problem-solving.
Reflecting on the award during his graduation ceremony at the Rose Theatre in Kingston, he described the honour as a deeply meaningful milestone. “I am incredibly humbled and really did not expect to receive this award,” he said. “My time at Kingston in the 1990s really instilled that engineering mindset in me. While the facilities and campus have changed so much since then, Kingston really opened the door to the rest of my career.”
With over 26 years’ experience in the automotive engineering sector, Mr Delantonis has held senior technical and leadership roles across body exteriors, body interiors, series manufacturing, vehicle programme management and business integration. Since joining McLaren in 2010, he has played a key role in the development and continuous improvement of the company’s V8 product lines.
His passion for engineering began at a young age, inspired by his father, a skilled mechanical engineer whose dedication and practical ingenuity led Mr Delantonis to pursue a career in engineering and shaped the way he approaches challenges today.
Alongside his industry achievements Mr Delantonis has maintained strong ties with Kingston University. He serves as an Industrial Consultative Committee Board Member, STEM Ambassador and mentor to students.
Addressing a packed auditorium at his graduation ceremony, Mr Delantonis advised the young engineers graduating this month from the University to embrace challenge and ambition as they begin their careers: “Don’t be afraid to stretch yourself” he said. “You learn the most getting outside your comfort zone – engineering is an incredibly competitive industry, so graduates really need to push themselves and take every opportunity that comes their way.”
Mr Delantonis was nominated for his award by Dr Payam Khazaeineja, Associate Professor and School of Engineering Director of Learning and Teaching at Kingston University. Dr Khazaeineja said: “As well as his professional achievements at McLaren and beyond, Christos has maintained a strong and ongoing connection with Kingston University, providing valuable input into curriculum development and programme accreditation to keep our provision aligned with industry needs. Through mentoring and STEM outreach, he has shared real-world insight with students and helped shape their confidence, ambition and professional direction.”