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Ex Ford boss Hoare succeeds Hickman as CEO of the MTC
Published:  07 March, 2023

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has appointed the former chair of Ford of Britain, Dr Graham Hoare, to succeed Dr Clive Hickman as its CEO, when he retires as chairman on 31 March. From April, Hickman will become chair of the MTC board.

Hoare brings more than 35 years of industrial and commercial experience to the role, including two decades with Ford in a variety of senior roles. He began his career at the car-maker as director of powertrain research and advanced engineering at its US headquarters. He was also executive director of European powertrain engineering and director of global vehicle evaluation. In 2018, he was awarded the OBE for services to the UK motor industry.

Before joining Ford, Hoare was the chief engineer for transmissions and driveline at BMW and chief engineer for powertrain engineering, at Land Rover. More recently, he was briefly interim CEO of Britishvolt, appointed to secure the future of the battery-making business, which has recently been acquired by the Australian firm, Recharge Industries.

Dr Hickman has been CEO of the MTC since its creation 12 years ago. “I am delighted to report that the MTC is now a £120m, 900-employee business with operations across the UK, and is supporting businesses large and small, regionally, nationally and internationally,” he says.

“Since its formation, the MTC has had a major impact, not only on the manufacturing industry in the UK, but on society as a whole, creating jobs and investment for the West Midlands and across the UK. We now have 800 young people pursuing apprenticeships and have attracted more than £800m of inward investment onto the site at Ansty, Coventry, and is well advanced in its contribution to the UK's net-zero target.”

Outgoing MTC CEO Dr Clive Hickman (left) with his successor, Dr Graham Hoare

Dr Hoare says he is joining the MTC “at a crucial time as UK manufacturing develops to become more productive and globally competitive. MTC is recognised as a world-class leader in technology and manufacturing innovation and the task of keeping the organisation at the forefront of the increasingly dynamic advances in technology and engineering will be both incredibly challenging and exciting.”

Outgoing MTC CEO Hickman says: “I know that Graham, with his vast experience in the sector, will propel the organisation to the next phase in our ambitions to become an even more integral and resilient member of the UK manufacturing community.”

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