Coventry & Warwickshire set to enter the Champions league
THE transformation of two of Coventry’s best known companies and the birth of a key new organisation have been have been spelled out business leaders in the city.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Champions, established to develop and promote the area, held its largest ever meeting at the new Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre (AMTC) at Ansty Park.
The event, attended by more than 150 business people, heard from new Coventry City FC managing director Chris Anderson , Peter Johansen, executive vice president for black cab manufacturer LTC’s UK operations and Paul Rowlett, managing director of the AMTC.
Anderson, an accountant and academic, took over the role at the Sky Blues late last year.
Johansen is overseeing a £250m investment by Chinese company Geely, which owns London Taxis.
Its new research and manufacturing plant, built to make a new generation of hybrid vehicles, is being built at Ansty and is due to come on stream next year.
His appearance coincided with the latest High Court ruling that the company’s distinctive black cabs are not unique, a decision which could clear the way for a new generation of greener, more environmentally-friendly taxis to operates on the streets of the capital.
Commenting, Johansen said: “We are understandably disappointed by the Judge’s ruling. We will review the ruling to determine our way forward. We remain 100% focused on our £300m investment programme that is creating hundreds of new high quality jobs in the UK as we develop the next generation Zero Emissions Capable taxi.”
Coventry and Warwickshire’s presence at MIPIM – the world’s leading commercial property development and investment show – was also outlined at the meeting, together with the opportunities it presents for the area.
The Coventry and Warwickshire MIPIM Partnership allows the area to have a significant presence at the show, which is attended by more than 21,000 delegates.
Les Ratcliffe, chair of the body that runs the Champions initiative, said: “These sessions are designed to ensure that the Champions are equipped with the news and information about leading companies, individuals and organisations in our area.
“The AMTC is a superb venue, and the work it is undertaking is vital for the future of the economy. Hopefully the presence of so many prominent businesses will help spread the word about its work.”
