From the sea to the sky: When he was living in southeast England, Patrick Carroll joined the Royal Naval Reserve, the "part-time navy." He served on small vessels, such as minesweepers and patrol vessels. When he came to Japan, he volunteered his services to the Royal Naval Association Japan Branch. Its objectives, he said, include "fostering esprit de corps and preserving traditions and ideals, perpetuating the memory of those who died in service, and helping RNA members who are in need." This year Carroll, quiet, conscientious and efficient, was appointed president of Airbus Japan K.K. He said: "I thought that flying required hands-on experience, so I decided to become a private pilot. Now with a license I realize it's just the beginning. Flying is safe and fun, but you must follow the rules, keep up to date and have good judgment. This applies equally to a single-engine airplane or a new double-deck superjumbo A380."
Carroll studied applied physics at the North Staffordshire Polytechnic, England, then earned his degree in electronic and electrical engineering in London. During his student years, he became interested in Japan through martial arts, especially karate. His first employment was with a radio company in Birmingham. He moved to Marconi Communication Systems. In 1983 he was seconded from GEC Marconi to the EU in Japan for Japanese training. He has been here continuously ever since. He married here, and has two small sons.
At first he learned the language, gaining working ability within six months to read, write and speak. He said, "The course included industrial visits, lectures on Japanese industry and home stays." In a second year of secondment, he went to the Fujitsu Central Research Laboratory. There, he says, he assisted in development work, conducting everything, including reports, in Japan for Marconi Ltd. He was named director of GEC Plessey Semiconductors K.K., and within a few years representative director of GEC-Marconi (Japan) Ltd.