John Dowling was a chartered mechanical engineer born in Manchester. Dowling worked at GEC Traction c1951-1992, becoming Chief Mechanical Engineer. Dowling authored several papers, including in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The highlight of his career is his role in the creation of the Class 91 electric locomotive.

After leaving GEC Traction, Dowling co-founded Cobic Dowling Technology Limited, where he worked as its Director from 23 December 1991 to 27 October 1994. It appears that after John Dowling's death, his wife Fay Dowling took on the role of Company Secretary, which she held until Cobic was dissolved in 1998.