About
I am Professor of Enterprise at the University of Derby, bringing four decades of senior international leadership experience to one of the United Kingdom’s most industry-connected business schools. I provide strategic leadership rooted in professional practice and real-world learning, strengthening the University’s mission to prepare graduates and businesses for the opportunities and challenges of a fast-changing global economy.
I joined the University in September 2024 after a distinguished 40-year career in the advanced manufacturing sector, including 33 years with Toyota in Europe. I play a central role in shaping the University’s approach to industry engagement, employability and business development. My work includes supporting research teams, fostering collaborations with business and government, and embedding responsible leadership and practical impact across the curriculum.
During my time at Toyota, I held some of the organisation’s most senior manufacturing leadership positions. I most recently served as Executive Vice President for Manufacturing at Toyota Motor Europe, leading Production Control, Production Engineering, Vehicle and Parts Logistics and all manufacturing operations across Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Poland and the Czech Republic.
My previous roles included Managing Director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK and Vice President of Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech. Across these positions, I built a strong record of transforming operations, improving performance and driving innovation within high-tech and globally integrated manufacturing environments.
My contribution to the UK industry has been widely recognised. I was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2025 New Year Honours for services to automotive manufacturing. I also serve as a Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire and chair the Derbyshire King’s Award for Enterprise Panel, supporting regional economic development and civic leadership.
Within the University, I help staff and students connect academic insights with practical application, drawing on my extensive experience at the forefront of European manufacturing. I support Derby’s commitment to industry-engaged teaching and research and champion the development of future leaders who combine intellectual capability with practical skill and who are equipped to drive sustainable and socially responsible growth.
Teaching responsibilities
I contribute to learning and teaching through keynotes, guest lectures and masterclasses that draw upon more than four decades of senior leadership in global manufacturing. I teach across undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education audiences, offering insight into subjects including continuous improvement, sustainability, supply chain management and logistics, the future of human resource management, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the automotive industry.
My sessions equip learners with a deep understanding of how modern organisations navigate technological disruption, operational complexity and global competition, ensuring they develop the strategic mindset required in contemporary enterprise.
Beyond the delivery of guest lectures, I play an active role in enhancing the student learning experience by grounding academic concepts in real-world industry practice. Through case discussions, applied examples and reflections from his senior roles at Toyota, I help learners connect theory to the lived realities of high-performance organisations. My engagement supports students in strengthening their analytical, operational and decision-making capabilities, enabling them to become agile and future-ready leaders who can contribute meaningfully to their organisations and to the wider economy.
Professional interests
My career began as an apprentice in the automotive sector, forming the foundation of a 40-year journey that would take me to some of the most senior manufacturing leadership roles in Europe. I progressed through Toyota’s UK operations before taking on international responsibilities, including leadership roles at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK and Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech. I later advanced to Executive Vice President for Manufacturing at Toyota Motor Europe, overseeing production functions and manufacturing plants across the continent.
Following my retirement from Toyota, I joined the University of Derby as Professor of Enterprise, applying my extensive industry background to support enterprise engagement and the development of future business leaders. I also contribute to regional civic and economic life as a Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire and Chair of the Derbyshire King’s Award for Enterprise Panel.
Experience in industry
I bring more than four decades of industry experience, beginning my career as an engineer at Pirelli before progressing into consultancy and subsequently joining Toyota, where I rose from engineer to general manager between 1991 and 2008. I went on to hold a series of senior leadership roles, including Director of Production at Toyota Manufacturing UK, Director of Production Engineering at Toyota Motor Europe, Deputy Managing Director of Toyota Manufacturing UK and Vice President of Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile in the Czech Republic. I later served as Managing Director of Toyota Manufacturing UK and most recently as Executive Vice President for Manufacturing at Toyota Motor Europe, overseeing large-scale operations across multiple countries.
Across these roles, I developed extensive C-suite level expertise. I have deep capability in global logistics, operations and scaling, supported by a strong record of driving transformational change, maximising efficiency and delivering significant return on investment. My leadership is characterised by outstanding international stakeholder relations and the ability to influence strategy at the highest levels.
A skilled communicator, mentor and developer of talent, I combine creative long-term strategic thinking with adaptability and a strong focus on performance. I have consistently achieved operational excellence, improving quality, reducing cost and delivering multimillion euro savings, while building high-performing teams and maintaining exceptional standards across process, product and service delivery.
Industry positions held:
- Executive Vice President – Toyota Motor Europe (Jan 2020 – Jun 2024)
- Managing Director – Toyota Manufacturing UK Ltd (Jan 2017 – Dec 2019)
- Vice President – Toyota, Peugeot Citroen Czech Republic (Jul 2014 Dec 2016)
- Deputy Managing Director – Toyota Manufacturing UK Ltd (2012 – 2014)
- Director of Production Engineering – Toyota Motor Europe (2011)
- Director of Production – Toyota Manufacturing UK Ltd (2009 – 2010)
- Numerous roles from Engineer to General Manager at Toyota (1991 – 2008)
- Senior Consulting Engineer – IEP Ltd (1989 -1991)
- Engineer – Pirelli Tyre Company (1982 – 1989)
International experience
I have extensive international experience developed over a 40-year career in industry, including 33 years with Toyota Motor Europe. My leadership roles spanned multiple countries and cultures, where I oversaw manufacturing operations across the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Poland and the Czech Republic.
I have twice been assigned to Toyota’s European head office in Belgium and also spent a period working in the Czech Republic with Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile, further deepening my insight into cross-border operations and international collaboration.