Robin Herd CBE (23 March 1939 – 4 June 2019) was a noted British engineer, designer and businessman best known for co‑founding March Engineering, a constructor that competed across Formula One, European formula series and American open‑wheel racing. He was born in Newton‑le‑Willows, in Lancashire, and pursued higher education at St Peter's College, Oxford, before moving into racing car design and engineering.

Early career and technical work

Herd gained practical experience in the high‑performance engineering environment of the 1960s and early 1970s. He worked for established specialists in the sport, including time with the McLaren racing organization (McLaren) and with the prominent engine and component maker Cosworth. These roles exposed him to both chassis design and the integration of powerful engines, helping shape his approach to producing competitive but cost‑effective racing cars.

Founding March and motorsport achievements

In 1969 Herd joined with partners to form March Engineering, a company that built cars for customer teams and factory efforts in several categories. March competed in Formula One from 1970 into the early 1990s and also supplied cars for lower formulae and American open‑wheel racing. The team is remembered for its versatility and commercial model of selling competitively priced chassis to private entrants.

  • March entered over two hundred Formula One grands prix and recorded multiple race wins and pole positions.
  • In lower categories, especially Formula Two, March designs were widely used and frequently successful.
  • In North America, March‑built cars enjoyed a remarkable run at the Indianapolis 500, contributing to a series of victories during the 1980s.

Later business activities

Herd sold his interests in March in 1989 and established a design consultancy, Robin Herd Ltd., based in Bicester. The office undertook vehicle and systems design work beyond top‑level racing. In the mid‑1990s he left active motorsport design and turned to other business and sporting interests, combining technical expertise with management responsibilities.

Oxford United and later life

Following his motorsport career, Herd became involved in English football: he acquired and chaired Oxford United Football Club during the 1990s. He retained a public profile through occasional commentary on engineering and racing matters. Herd passed away on 4 June 2019 at the age of 80.

Legacy

Robin Herd is remembered as an engineer who bridged design innovation and practical business sense. March Engineering helped broaden access to competitive racing cars for private teams and left a durable imprint on several racing categories. Herd's combination of technical skill and commercial awareness made him a respected figure in motorsport engineering.