The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) has announced the appointment of Matt Boyle OBE as its new Chairman, as he succeeds Steve Marsh.
Steve steps down from the role having taken on a new position as Senior Vice President, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, Nissan North America Inc, where he will be responsible for managing all facets of Nissan’s manufacturing operations in the US and Mexico.
Paul Butler, CEO, North East Automotive Alliance, said: “Firstly, on behalf of everyone at the NEAA I would like to say a tremendous thanks to Steve whose support and guidance has been invaluable during a highly challenging period for the automotive sector, even prior to COVID-19. Through his leadership the NEAA is in a much stronger position going forward. We wish him every success in his new role.
“A huge welcome to Matt, who was unanimously voted by the board as the ideal person to follow on from Steve. He has been an active member of the board for the last five years and previously headed up the NEAA Skills Working Group.
“Matt is former president and CEO of Sevcon, a Nasdeq listed, North East England-headquartered company which is at the forefront of global electrification. Sevcon grew from a $20 million industrial business in 1997 to a company acquired by BorgWarner for $200 million in September 2017 which was predominately automotive focused. Matt consults for German, Italian, US, Chinese and UK companies, all associated with electrification.”
Matt has a substantial number of achievements, including being one of the authors of the Stephenson Challenge. The Challenge, part of ISCF Wave 3, is developing and growing the UK’s supply chain capability in power electronics, machines and drives across automotive, aerospace, energy, industrial, marine, off highway and rail sectors. He has continued to assist the UKRI team develop the next steps in realising the vision for Driving the Electric Revolution (DER). Matt was, until January 2020, the interim challenge director for DER. He is now building a new drives business working in aerospace, automotive, off highway and the energy sectors.
Paul Butler added: “With his vast expertise, Matt was a natural successor to Steve and I am sure that his leadership and vision will be of utmost value to the NEAA as we support our members during these very testing times.”
In 2018, Matt was awarded an OBE for services to engineering and skills in the 2018 New Year honours list and is currently managing director of Collingwood Solutions.
Matt, said: “I’d like to echo the thanks from Paul to Steve Marsh and indeed the other Chairs of this great organisation over the years. The challenges the sector and the country face now need big ideas and great organisations to see them through. The NEAA is a great cluster of superb members, together we will overcome these challenges and be a stronger cluster, region and sector as a result. I look forward to working with Paul, the team, all the members and the board.”