Three senior UK automotive executives have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to the industry. News of the awards follows a series of positive announcements about UK motor manufacturing, as well as the landmark visit of the European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association (ACEA) last week.
Joe Greenwell, Chairman, Ford of Britain and SMMT Deputy President, becomes a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Joe Greenwell’s career in the motor industry spans almost 40 years. He began his career as a graduate trainee with Austin Morris and held a variety of senior roles in Jaguar, Ford of Europe and Ford North America before becoming Chairman and CEO of Jaguar Cars and subsequently Chairman of Ford of Britain.
Stephen Odell, Chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe, said, “Joe Greenwell has been a highly-influential figure in the British auto industry for many years, working closely with the SMMT, the CBI, and the government on key issues relating to the future of automotive manufacturing in the UK, skills, research and development, and the low-carbon agenda.
“Joe is a great ambassador for Ford, and for the motor industry as a whole. The award of a CBE is an appropriate recognition of his achievements.”
Bill Parfitt, Chairman and Managing Director of GM UK, also becomes a CBE.
Trained as a motor engineer in the family motor business in South Wales, Bill Parfitt then joined Goodyear as a graduate entrant. He has subsequently spent his working life in the motor industry, holding a number of directorships and senior executive roles in blue chip companies. He joined Vauxhall Motors in 1998 as Fleet Sales Director and quickly became responsible for all sales and marketing activities for GM’s UK operations. He was appointed Managing Director of Vauxhall in 2005 and Chairman of GMUK in 2009.
Working with the joint government/industry body, the Automotive Council, on a strategic plan to increase the supplier base in the UK, Bill Parfitt became the first chairman of the Council’s sub-committee, the Supply Chain Group.
Mike Godfrey, Division Manager and Chief Engineer, Honda UK Manufacturing Limited, becomes an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Mike Godfrey has been involved in the UK automotive industry for his entire career, and currently works at Honda’s facility in Swindon. He has held a variety of previous roles, currently taking responsibility for Safety and Environment co-ordination, not only for the Swindon site, but all of Honda’s other manufacturing operations in Europe. As part of his work Mike represents Honda on SMMT’s Environmental Policy Committee, the CBI’s Manufacturing Council, and is involved with national and local government issues affecting Honda, as well as local organisations in the Swindon area.
Stephen Odell has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the 2011 SMMT International Automotive Summit. Mr Odell will address the automotive industry’s third annual Summit in Westminster, London, on 28 June 2011.