Nick Reilly CBE, to be new president of SMMT

Nick Reilly CBE, Chairman and Managing Director of Vauxhall

Motors, has today been inaugurated as the new President of SMMT. He succeeds

John Neill CBE, Chief Executive of Unipart Group of Companies in the honorary

role, leading the motor industry trade association for the next 12 months.

Commenting on his appointment at the Society’s Annual General

Meeting, Nick Reilly said, ‘I am delighted and honoured to take on the influential

role as President of the SMMT at a time of great challenge and opportunity for

our industry. I look forward to working with my counterparts in all sectors

of our industry to show the vital contribution we’ve made, and will continue

to make, to the creation of wealth and prosperity for the British economy.

‘But, we’re all responsible for the world in which we live.

As an industry we have to ensure that we can sustain and develop companies that

take their social and environmental responsibilities as seriously as the balance

sheet. As President of the SMMT, I will continue to champion the groundbreaking

Sustainability Strategy which is helping to ensure a prosperous future for all

UK industry.

‘SMMT has a key role to play in telling people about the strategic

contribution that our industry makes to the British economy. I hope that we

will be able to play a leading and constructive role in this process with the

government. The result should be a more creative and dynamic relationship, from

which we will all gain.’

‘I want to thank John Neill for his statesmanlike and positive

role during his term as President, when the motor industry went through some

difficult times. SMMT is excellently led by Chief Executive Christopher Macgowan

and his team, and I look forward to working with them during my time in office

to continue to provide value and vital services to the membership.’

* * * * *

Notes to Editors

1. Nick Reilly CBE, joined General Motors in 1975, working

   at Detroit Diesel Allison Division in Wellingborough. After assignments overseas

   in Belgium, Mexico and the United States he returned to the UK in 1984, rising

   to Chairman and Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors in April 1996.

2. In addition to his role at Vauxhall, Nick Reilly CBE is

   also a Vice President of General Motors Corporation, the first British national

   to achieve this appointment, and he sits on the Board of General Motors Europe.

3. Nick Reilly CBE, is Chairman of the Adult Learning Inspectorate

   (successor to the Training Standards Council), and a member of the Commission

   for Integrated Transport.

4. Recent SMMT Presidents include:

   2000-2001 John Neill CBE

   1999-2000 Sir Ian Gibson CBE

   1998-1999 Trevor Bonner CBE

   1996-1998 Ian G McAllister CBE

   1995-1996 George Simpson (now Lord Simpson)

   1994-1995 Peter T Ward

   1993-1994 Geoffrey Whalen CBE (now Sir Geoffrey Whalen CBE)

   1991-1993 Colin Hope (now Sir Colin Hope)

   1990-1991 Derek Barron

5. Current issues facing the motor industry such as competitiveness,

   e-commerce, End of Life Vehicles, UK manufacturing, sustainability and Block

   Exemption all affect the SMMT and its members. Those members are a cross-section

   of the industry, from car and commercial vehicle makers to components and

   aftermarket sectors.