Ex-Ford chief heads UK automotive investment drive
The former chairman of Ford in Britain, Joe Greenwell, has been appointed by the government to lead a campaign to attract overseas investment into the UK automotive industry.
Greenwell, who retired from Ford in April with more than 40 years experience in industry, will be chief executive of the Automotive Investment Organisation (AIO), which will receive up to £3million of funding over the next two years.
Launched this week by Business Secretary Vince Cable, the AIO will be led by UK Trade and Investment and take strategic direction from the Automotive Council – a joint initiative between government and industry.
"On average only a third of the parts that go into cars manufactured here are sourced from the UK," said Cable. "We know that global manufacturers in the UK want to buy more from the UK. Greenwell will help to build on the success of the unprecedented investment we have seen in the UK automotive sector and encourage a more extensive supply chain."
