Helping Apprentices build their future

Dr Andy Palmer CMG is a chartered engineer and automotive executive. Having served in leadership positions at both Nissan and Aston Martin, Andy has led transformational change at two of the world’s most recognisable businesses in the industry.
Andy started his career as a 16-year-old Apprentice and then Project Engineer, before joining Austin Rover in 1986, culminating in his appointment to Chief Engineer for Transmission Engineering & Manufacturing. In 1991, Andy joined Nissan and held a succession of positions, including Program Director for Light Commercial Vehicles, Senior Vice-President, and Executive Vice-President before being appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2013.

At Nissan, Andy is best remembered for transforming the product line-up, but was also responsible for Business Strategy and Product Planning, Global Sales & Marketing, IT and the company’s Electric Vehicle and Battery business. He was also Chairman of Infiniti. During this time in Japan, Andy was credited with pioneering ground-breaking technologies, including leading the development of the Nissan LEAF electric car.

In October 2014, Andy was appointed CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda. At Aston Martin, Andy oversaw the launch of four core car models with nine derivatives, including the development and launch of the DBX, the company’s first foray into the growing Luxury SUV market. This led to the company opening a new manufacturing facility in South Wales, UK. Andy’s time at Aston Martin coincided with unique business conditions, including navigating Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, he was also instrumental in moving the company towards a mid-engined car bloodline, with the creation of the Valkyrie launched in 2020.

In 2012, AutoExpress voted Andy into their Hall of Fame as the “Most Influential British Person in the Global Automotive Business” and in 2018, AutoExpress named him” Person of the Past 30 Years”.

Beyond the boardroom, Andy is a licensed race car driver, advises the UK Government on export matters and leads the Palmer Foundation. In 2014, he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the New Year Honours for services to the British automotive industry.

Andy Turbefield has worked in the Automotive Sector for over 35 years. He is a Fellow of the Institute of the Motor Industry and has a Masters in Senior Leadership.  

Andy supports Halfords Group by working with the external organisations such as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders where he is a member of a number of their working party’s such as the Aftermarket Committee, Connected Autonomous Vehicles and Electric Vehicle Group.  

Andy’s knowledge of the Automotive sector supports our Environmental, Social and Governance strategy and he has also credited with setting the foundations for Technical Training across the Autocentre Group in 2015. Andy’s work with training and development was recognised in 2018 when he was presented with the Contribution to the Motor Industry Award by the IMI. 

As Head of Quality Andy sets the strategy by which our teams ensure that our Customers receive the highest service standards, delivering Quality at the heart of the business. 

Born in Dudley in the West Midlands, he gained a first-class honours degree and PhD in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA.

He was a senior engineer with Rover Group before becoming Engineering and Group Operations Director at the Motor Industry Research Association working on product development and later joining Ricardo Consulting Engineers, where he held a seat on the board of Ricardo Plc and was managing director of Ricardo UK Ltd.

During his career he has worked on a wide range of vehicle programmes including the development of a unique Bentley which, along with Dr Phaefgan of VW, he presented to HM the Queen in 2002.

In 2005, he was approached by Ratan Tata with the idea to set up an engineering function for the Tata Motors the UK and to manage the entire engineering operation for Tata Motors in India, responsible for some 6,000 engineers. During this time in the automotive sector, he was responsible for the ‘peoples car’ the Nano in India and the introduction of the Vista electric vehicle in UK.

Over the last 10 years he has led MTC through a period of extraordinary growth helping to create a national asset that has become a magnet for manufacturing across the Midlands.

As Chairman of the Midlands Manufacturing Resilience commission his ambition is to deliver a set of actions which will make the Midlands the preeminent Innovation Region

John is Vice-Chancellor and CEO of the Coventry University Group. John is a double graduate of the University and has a background in information technology and telecommunications. He previously worked for several private sector organisations including JHP Group, Jaguar Cars and BT – including a period as a sponsored Research Fellow based at Martlesham Research Labs, Ipswich. In 2015, John was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Fellowship of the British Computer Society for his services to the IT industry.

John has held high-profile roles at regional, national and European levels promoting innovation, technology and economic development. He is a non-executive Director of Health Education England (the primary funder of health-related education in England), is a Council member of InnovateUK (part of the UK’s National Research Agency (UKRI)) and is a Board member of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

John is additionally an advisory board member of the UK’s National Growth Board which is responsible for the oversight of the UK’s European Structural Funds Programme. Previously, he has also spent periods of time working overseas including roles in France, Spain, Portugal and Germany as well as being a long-term advisor to the European Commission.

John is an Extraordinary Professor in the area of enterprise and entrepreneurship at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, where in 2019 he additionally received an Honorary Doctorate for his services to UK Higher Education. In the same year he was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours with a CBE for his Services to Higher Education.

 Neil Patterson took up the position of Principal at Silverstone UTC in March 2013 and worked with the UTC’s partners and governors to develop the curriculum and oversee the construction of the £10m campus.

Prior to joining he was Chief Engineer at McLaren Automotive, where he worked for nearly 14 years. At McLaren he played a key part in the company’s transition from a motorsports based engineering company to a fully-fledged automotive manufacturer

Karen started her career in the Cheshire Police HQ communications control room.
Dealing with emergency situations and being on the force control police radio. Having a great coach/mentor was crucial to quickly learn “on the job”. This experience shaped how she then dealt with new recruits when she changed career into learning & development with a move to the Midlands. Joining TMI, which at the time was Europe’s No 1 training company whose focus was on culture change with companies transitioning from public to privatisation such as British Airways and all utility companies. This period in the late 80s was one of major change and shift in working culture in the UK.

Being part of a fast-growing company enabled fast progression to eventually become the Customer Services Manager, travelling to the HQ in Denmark each year for 12 years. During this time Karen had 2 daughters and studied towards her degree.

Karen then progressed to senior roles in Learning & Development within large companies and various sectors such as, Zurich Financial Services, Capita and Centrica.

Karen then joined Aston Martin in 2014 as Senior Manager for Learning and Development in the same year as Andy Palmer.

Part of the role is managing the apprenticeship scheme; enabling young people grow in confidence and skills through an apprenticeship is the highlight of this role.

On average is cost the Palmer Foundation £55,000 to fund an apprenticeship. With your support we will give talented young people the opportunity to have a rewarding career in Automotive Engineering. Every donation made will go directly to building the future of young people who deserve the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

You can donate directly via the link below. If you are a company, charitable trust or individual who would like to know more about how to support our work please email us. We want to talk to you about how you can support us.