education:
1989-1991royal college of art, london (uk)
M.DES (RCA) Vehicle Design - Distinction
1986-1989teeside university, newcastle (uk)
BA Industrial Design – First Class Honors
1979-1984all saints school, sheffield (uk)
professional:
current
Aston Martin Lagonda
Executive Vice President & Chief Creative Officer; Aston Martin
Direct reporting role to Andrew Palmer CEO. Aston Martin Board member.
Responsible for all current and future Aston Martin design development,
Leading a team of highly capable designers,modellersand studio engineers
Responsible also for Aston Martin craftsmanship.
2002 - 2005 Ford Motor Company
design director:Ford North America, dearborn
Direct reporting role to J Mays, Group VP Design. Responsibility for a cross-functional staff of 180 employees plus matrix reports, consisting of Chief Designers and support staff.
Director of:
New Ford large car platform (Interior & Exterior, Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln)
Ford NA Brands Interiors
Product Design Group
Color and Materials Group
Specific Responsibilities:
To establish & develop Ford design DNA, new design strategies and execution processes for Ford NA. - Aligning the company to have a definitive direction for its different NA brands. Utilizing the new large car platform for design and process implementation.
2001 – 2002 Chief Designer: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Advanced Design, California
Responsibility from inception for the infrastructure and staffing of new facility in Irvine, Calif. whilst maintaining responsibility for design work in existing UK, and USA (Dearborn) facilities. Responsible for a cross-functional staff of 102.
Led various advanced and production design programs during this period including three 'D' segment production vehicles, Mercury Messenger and Lincoln Navicross (Detroit 2002), Lincoln's Mark X and first cross-over vehicle - the Lincoln Aviator (Detroit 2003).
2000 – 2001 chief designer: lincoln, mercury and advanced design, UK
Establishing the future design direction for Lincoln and Mercury.
Creation of Design philosophies. Establishing a highly competitive design team to deliver the philosophy. Setting up of satellite studio. The delivery of production programs that incorporate this philosophy, using show vehicles to quantify the direction of the brand and the form language (Lincoln Continental, LA/Detroit 2002).
This was a unique opportunity to reinvent one of America's premium luxury brands, whilst establishing a new Design direction and team within a new facility and working closely with a newly formed engineering organization. A holistic viewpoint encompassing branding, marketing, merchandising, dealerships, etc. was utilized to re-establish the brands.
1999 – 2000 bmw rolls royce , london
assistant chief designer
Re-establishing Rolls Royce Ethos. Defining the brand, the customer and the Future DNA. Development of next generation Rolls Royce Phantom with a holistic view, from design philosophy to final design models. Establishing the London based design studio ("The Bank"), the team and support staff.
A unique opportunity to re-establish the world's most prestigious automobile, from its design to its manufacturing ethos.
1996 – 1999 bmw designworks, california
design manager
Led the development of Land Rover design DNA for application over the following decade. Explore the possibilities for Land Rover in the American market. Produce a series of vehicles which would have great potential in both the USA and Europe.
This involved gaining an understanding of the total US market and also demonstrating an effective working relationship over a large distance with Land Rover USA, Land Rover UK, and BMW Germany. Initial design studies created in California were chosen for 2003 Range Rover and next generation Discovery 2005.
1995 – 1996 land rover, uk
senior designer
The development of a new exterior designs for Land Rover vehicles, a range of accessories and components. (Freelander, Defender, Discovery, Range Rover)
1994 – 1995 rover cars, uk
designer
Concepts for a new flagship vehicle for Rover cars utilizing existing BMW platforms.
1991 – 1993 rover cars, uk
designer
Worked on a new luxury flagship vehicles for Rover cars (600, 800) utilizing Hond a platforms.
1991 nissan design, tokyo, japan.
Post-graduate experience.
1981 – 1991 rover group, uk
Summer internships.
1990 isuzu motors truck division, tokyo, japan.
Professional experience.
show vehicles:
2004 Lincoln Mark X:NAIAS ‘04,Chief Designer exterior and interior
2004 Lincoln Aviator:NAIAS ‘04,Chief Designer exterior and interior
2003 Mercury Messenger:NAIAS ‘03,Chief Designer exterior and interior (Best in Show)
2003 Lincoln Navicross:NAIAS ‘03,Chief Designer exterior and interior
2002 Lincoln Continental:NAIAS ’02, LA Autoshow,Chief Designer exterior and interior
existing production vehicles:
2003 Rolls Royce Phantom
2003 Range Rover
Design Outreach:
10/2004 Interior Motives Design Awards, ParisJudge
5/2004 The Auto Interiors Show, Detroit
Presentation:The Future of Ford Motor Company Interiors
5/2004 ENG Automotive Design Summit, Rome
Presentation:A Luxury Brand
4/2004 New York Auto Show, New York
Presentation:Automotive Interiors
2/2004 Chicago Auto Show, Chicago
Presentation:Automotive Interiors
1/2004 Detroit Auto Show, Detroit
Presentation:Concept Car Presentation
6/2003 Lincoln Mercury Dealer Council
Presentation:Lincoln DNA
11/1999 Global Trends Conference, Iceland
Presentation:Global Trends from an Automotive Perspective
2/1997 New York Auto Show, New York
Presentation:Land Rover Press Presentation
6/1993 Royal College of Arts, London Lecturer
6/1993 Coventry Polytechnic, Coventry Lecturer
9/1990 Nissan Design Exhibition, Tokyo
Exhibition: Axis Gallery
5/1990 Mazda Design Studio, Frankfurt
Exhibition:Opening Night
7/1990 Isuzu Design Exhibition, Tokyo
Exhibition: Axis Gallery
*Awards and References available upon request
