Coventry and Warwickshire’s global automotive reputation is as strong as ever, says the managing director of one of the UK’s leading car manufacturers.
The region’s worldwide impact was celebrated by business leaders at the latest Coventry & Warwickshire Champions event, as senior figures from the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) spoke to more than 130 delegates at the Butts Park Arena in Coventry.
Chris Allen, Managing Director of LEVC (manufacturer of the iconic black cab), which is headquartered in Ansty Park and is owned by Chinese conglomerate Geely, said colleagues in East Asia hold the West Midlands, which is home to the majority of the automotive experts in the UK, in high regard for its manufacturing prowess.
Coventry and Warwickshire continues to be a “really strong home for automotive”, said the former marine biologist and lawyer turned automotive exec.
Lisa Hughes, chief financial officer for the Royal Shakespeare Company, shared insights into the company’s presence in America, in addition to its work helping UK schoolchildren access Shakespeare, while maintaining its tradition of supporting locally-based craft skills, such as armour making, in its productions.
The event, sponsored by Keystone Project Solutions, also welcomed Adam Petros, co-owner of Premier Health Products, who spoke to host Adam Dent of PLMR Advent about the company’s rise from a city centre market stall to a Queen’s Award-winning exporter of pharmaceuticals.
The Coventry-based business recently set up its own manufacturing facility to help meet demand for tablets and capsules in the Middle East and South East Asia.
Craig Humphrey, CEO of Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub Group, of which Champions is a part, said: “It was fascinating to hear from all of our speakers about the role our region has played in their success.
“It was also extremely pleasing to welcome so many new Champions at the event as the network continues to grow and SMEs and larger businesses and organisations continue to come together to shine a spotlight on the inspirational people, places and businesses that make Coventry & Warwickshire such a vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and do business.
“Our hosts Coventry Rugby Club provided a fantastic example of striving for excellence while giving back to the community as they celebrate their 150-year anniversary, and we’d like to thank everyone who joined us for another brilliant event showcasing the best of Coventry and Warwickshire.”