Press Release: Chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover to speak in Warwickshire

One of the leading figures in the UK automotive industry is to explain how he is helping to drive Jaguar Land Rover forward when he meets regional businesses later this month.

David Smith, the chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, is to speak at an event organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, November 26 when he will outline his plans for the company.

Jaguar Land Rover employ move than 14,000 staff across the UK and have sites in Coventry, Gaydon, Birmingham and Solihull in the West Midlands and on Merseyside.

The event – at the Chesford Grange Hotel between Leamington and Kenilworth – is the first in a series being planned by the Chamber’s mid-Warwickshire branch and its chair Sophie Howe is expecting a large turnout.

“David Smith is a key figure in the future of the automotive industry nationally and he is even more crucial to the success of West Midlands businesses who supply Jaguar Land Rover,” she said.

“Many of those companies are based in Coventry and Warwickshire and we are sure they will be keen to hear what he has to say.

“These are tough economic times for all businesses, but there is a real excitement surrounding Jaguar Land Rover following its buyout by Tata Motors.

“As well as being key to the health of the regional economy, Jaguar and Land Rover are both brands which are very well loved and respected in the UK.”

Smith, who lives in Leamington and was educated at Warwick School, was appointed to his role in June last year and is a former Director of Finance and Strategy for Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group.

He has been with the company since 2000, and he played a key role in the sales of Aston Martin in 2007 and JLR in 2008.
 
He is also a Board Member and Chair of the Audit Committee at Advantage West Midlands, a Trustee of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, a regional CBI Councillor, Honorary Professor of Warwick Manufacturing Group and previous Governor of Coventry University.

Howe, who runs translation and language services company Comtec Translations, based in Leamington, added: “We were delighted to welcome Dave Richards, who led the takeover of Aston Martin, at an event and that proved immensely popular and we are hoping this will be similarly appealing to our members.”

The event, which runs from 8am to 10am at the Chesford Grange Hotel, costs £20 plus VAT, including a full English breakfast. Anyone wishing to book can contact 02476 654227.
 
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