Former Ford of Britain chairman, Joe Greenwell, says the extremely robust progress of the UK automotive sector drew him back into the industry following retirement at the US manufacturer.
Greenwell was Ford chairman in the UK from 2009 to 2013 and his extensive experience in the industry as CEO of Jaguar Cars and president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, is currently being tapped into as chief of the Automotive Investment Organisation (AIO) at the British Department of Trade and Industry.
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That strength of the UK is also reflected in the influence of Britain’s Automotive Council, which Greenwell is confident will continue in its present guise, even there is a change of government next year.
Britain is due to hold a general election in less than 12 months, but the automotive industry estimates there to be cross-party consensus on the broad shape of the Council, set up by former Labour Party Business Secretary, Peter Mandelson.
“I think there is certainly a degree of political consensus,” Greenwell told just-auto on the sidelines of this week’s Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders International Automotive Summit in London.
“I think the signs are all the political parties regard the automotive sector as a great engine of the UK economy and it needs to continue to work on its mission to further develop its competitiveness and strengths.
“There is every expectation the Council will continue its work. It is a long-term project – that is well understood by politicians.”
Addressing delegates at the International Summit earlier, Greenwell highlighted just how rapidly the British auto sector had progressed from its strike-ridden and unprofitable days as part of a monolithic State machine.
“How far has this industry come in the last 30 years,” he said. “How far have we come from being a byword for industry inefficiency to a country with a sector…that can put itself alongside the best in the world. Not in any sense of bravado or boastfulness.”
“Quite frankly, what enticed me back from retirement is there are so many stars in alignment and I want to be part of something as exciting as this.”
Greenwell conceded more needed to be done to narrow the supply chain gap with Germany, but insisted the UK was “on the right track” with more work to be done whoever secures either an outright mandate at the next election or, as at present, is obliged to work in a coalition.
“After a general election hopefully we are relating more progress and continuity on policy, whatever the shape of the government will be,” he said.
