Garel, a valued industry spokeman, held the SMMT Chair in Motor Industry Economics at Cardiff University Business School until he retired in 2006. He remains Emeritus Professor and earlier this year was awarded the CBE for services to economic research in Wales.
Fittingly, because the Queen is visiting the United States, the Prince of Wales presented the Professor with his award at Buckingham Palace on 4 May. This gave both gentlemen the opportunity to exchange a few well chosen words in Welsh!
After posing for a photograph at Forbes House, he and his family went on for a celebratory lunch at a nearby top class hotel.
