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Golden opportunity
Page 26
Page 27
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Christopher Macgowan, boss of the Society of Votor Manufacturers and Traders, claims to
have his dream job. Jennifer Ball reports.
Christopher Macgowan thrives under pressure,he says.Which is a probably just as well because he never knows where his job will take him next. One minute he's attending a meeting at the Treasury about the Budget; the next he's flying to Estonia to meet his opposite number there, In fact his career path has always been a bit of a whirlwind—within weeks of joining the special projects team at British Leyland he was packing his bags for Leyland's subsidiary in Canada: "It was a fantastic opportunity... living as a young man on the 22nd floor of a tower block in Toronto was an exciting experience. I was also given a great insight into the North American automotive industry, which at the time was deemed to be best practice."
Clearly not one for routine, on his return to the UK Macgowan says he was determined not to lapse back into his former job. During his time in Canada he had built a close relationship with Massey Ferguson and soon secured a job at its plant in Coventry. He then moved to agricultural machinery manufacturer Ransomes where he managed three subsidiaries in Japan. Germany and France.
Finally, fed up of living life on a plane he took up the role of chief executive at the Retail Motor Industry Federation, which represents motor dealers, before taking up his current post: "My role is demanding but also enormous fun. No two days are the same. I could be meeting with the government and then the opposition parties.
"That's not easy, as your priority should be with the government of the day, but you have to remember that there could come a day when the opposition are elected and if you've failed to build a relationship then you've left it too late.
"I also have the responsibility of managing a £15m business and overseeing 120 staff, which keeps me off the streets!"
The SMMT also carries out huge amount of work with the civil service on every aspect of the transport agenda:"We have to work on the nitty gritty of UK legislation but also have an overlaying responsibility to make certain that proposed legislation from Brussels is sensibly drawn up when it's under consideration in the UK.
Industry's voice
"The UK is at the centre of the automotive industry — we have the ability to build and develop markets that no other member states have. While France and Germany may build more vehicles, in terms of share of the breadth of the market, the global corporations are in the UK. Our responsibility is to represent these companies and speak on their behalf."
Macgowan stresses that while the asso ciation has an important position it must never become complacent; he is constantly monitoring whether it is doing the best possible job for its members.
Gone are the days when the trade associations could live by subscriptions alone; members now want them to take a more commercial approach through business ventures. One way the SMMT is doing this is through its part ownership of the Commercial Vehicle show. Macgowan sits on the show's committee and has a responsibility to ensure its success.
He says this has been achieved by making it more accessible: "Smaller companies that might have previously thought the show was not for them are now being encouraged to have a stand.This has been done through careful planning to ensure that not one company dominates the show." The association, which currently boasts 600 members, is also keen to get smaller firms into membership: "The government wants to be able to talk to one representative, not lots of smaller associations, and it can do this with us. We represent everyone from the truck builders to component manufacturers.
"Tony Blair has already committed himself to enhancing the competitiveness of small to medium enterprises and there are many of these in our sector.There are. after all, 800.000 people in the UK working in the automotive industry."
The SMMT also runs the Motor Show, produces monthly industry statistics and manages a number of contracts on behalf of the government.
Macgowan stresses that the SMMT is far removed from the image of a trade association ten years ago; it aims to be fast on its feet,open and friendly.
He's also the SMMT's representative on a number of government working parties looking at everything from reducing vehicle crime to road pricing and the expansion of congestion charging. This puts the SMMT at the forefront of government strategy as legislation is formed.
Governmental tool The SMMT is fortunate to be the first point of call for the government," says Macgowan. "It doesn't want to do everything itself and would much rather we got on with things while it just oversees our work. It's important being involved in very early stage of legislation — waiting till the consultation period arrives is too late." Outside work Macgowan has two consuming passions. The first is inform technology. Over the past five years he's his knowledge to ensure the SMMT's IT have been upgraded:"I even flew to the Ui States for Bill Gate's launch of Autom Windows platform. Technology is going I future the industry — there is eight times' computer power in today's best selling 1 than in the spaceship that Neil Armst landed on the moon."
His second love is for National Hunt RE He owns two racehorses, Great Benefit Lucky Bay: "There's no point in talking t during the Cheltenham festival.' am very f nate that it and the CV show are separate( fortnight because if not there would have a serious problem. I make it my goal to at Cheltenham... it's my Mecca," he laughs. •