Ashley Fernihough appointed CEO of SMMT Industry Forum

A new chief executive has been appointed to the SMMT Industry Forum, the automotive industry’s competitiveness improvement and training business.

Ashley Fernihough, takes over from Richard Sadler, who leaves Industry Forum after three years.

Fernihough has amassed more than 40 years of experience in management and consultancy roles covering almost every area of the industry.

He has held global leadership positions at companies including Jaguar Land Rover, Ricardo, and IBM.

Fernihough said: “People, productivity and profitability are my passions and what SMMT Industry Forum is all about, so leading this growth-focused organisation at such a defining time for the automotive sector is an exciting prospect.”

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes added: “I would like to welcome Ashley to SMMT and to SMMT Industry Forum.

“As the automotive sector forges a once-in-a-century transition, Ashley’s background in transformational growth makes him ideally placed to ensure SMMT Industry Forum helps automotive companies future-proof their businesses through improved skills, productivity and competitiveness.”