Sir John Egan to be recognised for services to Midlands industry
ONE of the region’s best known business figures is to be recognised for his service to industry in the West Midlands.
Sir John Egan has been selected to receive the Lifetime Contribution to Midlands Business at the Midlands Business Awards next month.
Sir John, currently Chancellor at Coventry University, is one of the region’s most established industrialists.
His initial career was in the automotive industry. After a four-year spell with tractor maker Massey Ferguson, in 1980 he became chairman of Jaguar Cars, where he helped to turn the then struggling business around and built it into one of the foremost automotive brands in the world, eventually overseeing its sale for £1.6bn to Ford.
After that, he became Chief Executive of the airport operator BAA, where he stayed for nine years throughout one of its most successful periods. While there, he also produced a ground-breaking report, which bore his name, into the construction industry. Rethinking Construction saw a radical new approach, putting far more emphasis on genuine co-operation throughout the supply chain within an industry that had built up a reputation for its tendency towards confrontation.
Sir John, who was educated at Bablake School in Coventry, is also a former Chairman of the water company Severn Trent, which now has its headquarters in the city.
Sir John follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Sir Robert Burgess of Leicester University. Previous recipients include Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, of Warwick Manufacturing Group and the former CBI Director General and trade minster Lord Digby Jones.
The 2012 awards attracted a record number of entries and this year has proved the same. There are two new categories: Midlands Manufacturer of the Year and Midlands Corporate Commitment to the Community.
Harj Sandher, of Leamington Spa-based UK Special Events which organises the event, said: “We are delighted that Sir John has agreed to accept this award. His contribution has laid the foundations for the future prosperity of many in the region and collectively, we owe him a debt of thanks.”
The awards ceremony takes place on Friday February 1, 2013 at the NEC Metropole Hilton Hotel.
