SMMT names new Forum chief executive
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has named Paul Heard as the new chief executive of SMMT Industry Forum.
The Forum is SMMT’s productivity improvement and training business.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “I’d like to welcome Paul to SMMT and to Industry Forum. We are going to make full use of his consultancy expertise and extensive experience in key industries. He brings many strengths to the role, in leadership, financial acumen and in-depth manufacturing and process knowledge working in multi-national environments, and he will be the lynchpin for many new initiatives to help even more companies meet their growth potential.
“I would also like to thank Chris for his dedication and many successes, not least his tireless work on the Automotive Council, helping deliver millions of pounds of funding to boost supply chain competitiveness via schemes including the Long Term Automotive Supply Chain Competitiveness and National Manufacturing Competitiveness Levels programmes. On top of that, his implementation of a refined business model for Industry Forum has delivered outstanding progress for the company and industries it supports.”
Heard said: “I’m excited to be joining Industry Forum and look forward to building on the great work of Chris and the team. Of course, this is a testing time for British business, but I believe that we are well placed to deliver even greater support and competitiveness to the many world-class engineering-led industries we have in this country. I am relishing the challenge ahead.”
