Former Ford chair to lead advanced manufacturing centre

The Coventry-based centre for advanced manufacturing technologies, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), has appointed Dr Graham Hoare OBE to succeed Dr Clive Hickman OBE as its new CEO. Dr Hoare brings over 35 years of top-level industrial and commercial experience to the role.

Dr Hickman will retire as CEO of the MTC on 31 March, and, as announced last year, he will become Chair of the MTC board with effect from April.

Dr Hoare is a former Chair of Ford of Britain, having spent two decades with the carmaker in various senior roles. He began his career at Ford as director of powertrain research and advanced engineering at its US headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. He was also the executive director of European powertrain engineering and director of global vehicle evaluation, and in 2018 was awarded the OBE for services to the UK motor industry.

Previously, he was the chief engineer for transmissions and driveline at BMW and chief engineer, powertrain engineering, at Land Rover.

More recently, Dr Hoare briefly acted as interim CEO of Britishvolt, appointed to secure the future of the business, which has recently been acquired by Recharge Industries.

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

“I know that with his vast experience in the sector, Graham 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. I wish him every success in the role.”