Ian Constance has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). He is due to take over in September 2015, as Tony Pixton returns to the APC Board having guided the organisation safely through its start-up phase.
Formed in 2013, the Advanced Propulsion Centre aims to help get good low carbon propulsion ideas off the drawing board and to market. The £1 billion programme emerged from the Automotive Council and represents a 10-year commitment from government and the automotive industry to positioning the UK as a global centre of excellence for low carbon powertrain development and production.
Ian Constance joins the APC from Ford Motor Company, having worked for the marque in the UK, Germany, China, Thailand and the US, and he brings with him 25 years of industry experience.
Anna Soubry, Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, said, “I am very proud of our automotive sector and the government will continue to work with industry to ensure its star shines brightly. Ian Constance brings global expertise and knowledge to the APC as it seeks to accelerate the development and production of new green technologies which can secure future jobs in the industry.”
Ian said, “It is a great privilege to join the Advanced Propulsion Centre and lead the future development of this remarkable collaboration between government and industry, which is driving investment and innovation in the UK. I look forward to working with the wide range of APC partner organisations, academic institutions, SMEs, suppliers and manufacturers to focus our national resources as we create the Propulsion Nation, delivering growth in the automotive industry.”
In the past 16 months, the APC has invested in 10 projects worth more than £174 million, involving 54 organisations across the sector, with further funding to be announced this Autumn. It also offers support and advice to companies developing innovative low carbon propulsion technology in developing collaborations and in getting access to funding. More information is available on their website.
