Roger Putnam
CBE, Executive Advisory Board Member
In 2007 Roger Putnam was invested as a CBE by HM Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of a lifetime spent providing services to the British motor industry.
This achievement was due in part to his success as Chairman of the Ford Motor Company of Great Britain between 2002 and 2005. During this period, he directed top level communications with government regarding the impact of global competition and emerging questions of climate change. His work culminated in a record total of 485,000 Ford vehicles sold in 2005. He left the organisation well positioned to continue its growth trajectory, and in spite of the current global economic reversals, the company has benefitted from the initiatives introduced and the investments managed by him.
Prior to the leadership position held at Ford, he spent twenty years working as the Sales and Marketing Director at Jaguar Cars Ltd. While at Jaguar, he completely restructured both the UK and international dealer and distributor networks, moving the brand into new markets as well as playing a key role in the team that launched some of Jaguar's most important recent models.
Roger maintains an impressive connection within the automotive industry via a variety of influential roles:
- Chairman of a number of organisations (Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, BERR's Retail Motor Strategy Group and The Learning Grid).
- Deputy President for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd.
- Director for ITM Power plc, Halcyon Days Ltd., Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
- Committee member for the Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (reporting to the Cabinet).
- Visiting Professor of Automotive Business at the City of London University.