This year’s International Women’s Day is particularly special for us at OCS as it coincides with our 125th anniversary. To celebrate, we’re shining a spotlight on three trailblazing women from our history—Rita, Scottie, and Judy—whose leadership and impact helped shape our legacy.
Known to many as “Bionic Rita”, Rita Bray was a force of nature—meticulous, determined, and unstoppable. As the first female director at OCS, she shattered barriers and reshaped the company’s future with her sharp financial acumen and bold leadership style.
Her journey began in 1971 when she joined New Century Safety Appliances Ltd as a part-time personal assistant while recovering from major open-heart surgery, after which she was fitted with steel heart valves. But far from slowing her down, Rita’s resilience only strengthened her resolve. With precise bookkeeping systems and rigorous credit control, she became the backbone of the company’s success.
Rita first joins, 1972
Rita testing safety appliances, 1980s
Then, tragedy struck. John Murphy, the company’s leader, passed away, leaving the business rudderless at a critical moment. Demand for the company’s chief product—the safety bolt—was rising due to the Health and Safety at Work Act, and without strong leadership, the company’s future was uncertain.
Peter Johnson, then Managing Director of OCS West Leigh, was brought in to stabilise the situation. When Rita first met him, she boldly asked, “I suppose there’s no chance of me running it?” Initially, Peter had his doubts—but in a remarkable turn of events, he reconsidered. Just days later, Rita was appointed General Manager/Director, stepping into a leadership role that would define her career for the next 17 years.
Her impact was undeniable. Under her leadership, the company thrived, becoming one of the most profitable in the OCS Group. As Peter Johnson later recalled at her retirement presentation, “After that, the rest is history. The Company, one of the few to be headed by a lady ‘guvnor,’ went from strength to strength and consistently delivered the best profit ratio of the OCS Groups UK companies.”
Rita’s retirement, 1992.
By the time Rita retired as Chief Executive Director in 1992, she had cemented her legacy as a trailblazer in the industry. With a reputation for precision, resilience, and an unrelenting drive, she earned the nickname “Bionic Rita”—not just for her physical endurance, but for her unstoppable spirit.
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate Rita Bray’s extraordinary journey and the path she paved for future generations of female leaders.
