SMMT is pleased to announce the appointment of Tamzen Isacsson to the post of Director of Communications and International. This new position has been created to enable the SMMT to focus its UK and international communication activities on the promotion of the UK industry, helping to attract more investment in the sector.
The UK automotive sector continues to grow, with a turnover in excess of £60bn and accounting for 3% of the UK’s GDP. Critically, it is a global, export-led industry with over 80% of the vehicles made in the UK heading for global markets. To continue this success, the sector must continually attract investment and develop new products, technologies and markets. To support the industry in this endeavour and help promote the UK automotive sector abroad, the SMMT has created the Director of Communications and International role to lead the growing team.
The new role will report to Chief Executive Mike Hawes, who said, “The UK motor industry is enjoying a renaissance which is creating significant growth and new business opportunities. We need to broadcast this success to a global audience, so I am delighted that in Tamzen we have someone with international experience and proven communication expertise. She will ensure the industry’s voice is heard on the key issues and the sector has a global profile that its recent success merits.”
Tamzen is currently Head of Media and PR for London & Partners, the Mayor’s promotional company for London which attracts foreign direct investment, events, congresses, students and visitors to the capital. She has managed major global media campaigns including the launch of London Technology Week, Dot London, Techcity, Medcity and WIEF as well as planning international media coverage for the Mayor’s overseas trips. She has also led international media campaigns promoting London as a tourist destination with visitlondon.com.
Before joining London & Partners, Tamzen worked at Nobel Media, the official media company for the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm which spreads knowledge and interest in the Nobel Prize to a global audience. Her career started at the BBC where she worked for 10 years as a journalist, with her last role as Programme Output Editor on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. She worked as a senior producer in the BBC Washington bureau and has travelled extensively across the world covering breaking news stories and in-depth investigations.
Tamzen Isacsson said, “Britain’s automotive industry is in better health than ever before with record exports and investment. It’s a vital sector for the British economy but one which operates globally so the challenge will always be to make sure it retains its competitiveness. The SMMT has a great reputation and I look forward to working with its members and the rest of the team to champion the motor industry at home and abroad.”
Tamzen will join SMMT early in the New Year.
