SMMT Appoint New President

Roger Putnam, chairman of Ford of Britain, is to take up the position as president of the SMMT. He succeeds Tod Evans, former chairman, Peugeot Citroën Automobiles UK Ltd, in leading the motor industry trade association for the 12 months from June 2005.

Commenting on the announcement, Roger Putnam said: “I am proud and honoured to become SMMT president for 2005-06. The industry faces some significant challenges in balancing the needs of its customers, in coping with regulatory pressures, and in dealing with a challenging manufacturing environment. I want to play my part in ensuring that issues like skills, R&D and productivity are given the profile they deserve.”

In the SMMT’s view it has already taken steps to meet the challenge. It has attempted to reduce the skills gap, and the Automotive Academy was created to identify courses and create globally recognised and relevant training. It says that for more than a decade, its Industry Forum has been improving processes and increasing productivity throughout the automotive supply chain while, on R&D, SMMT Foresight Vehicle is helping support and manage research into future technologies.

“These key SMMT initiatives add up to more than the sum of their individual parts and need to be properly supported and promoted by all stakeholders”, said Roger Putnam.

He added, “I want to thank Tod Evans for his direct contribution and positive role during his two terms as SMMT president, particularly in bringing a new direction to the British International Motor Show. He has been an outstanding servant of the industry for many years and I wish him well in the future.”