Shoreham-based engineering firm Ricardo has set up a new division.
A vehicle engineering division, opening in Leamington Spa, will provide a complete service to its worldwide customers by bringing together strengths developed in the UK and North America, thus creating a global strategy for the company.
Dr Clive Hickman has been appointed managing director for the division.
Dr Hickman joined Ricardo in 1997 as group business development director and was previously at GKN, Rover and MIRA, where he was engineering director with responsibility for all engineering activities.
The choice of location was driven by proximity to major customers at Jaguar and Land Rover and to provide easy access to the major UK proving grounds.
Rodney Westhead, chief executive of Ricardo said: "The new business is committed to investing in people and technology. We will utilise test facilities available throughout Europe and North America and go into partnership, where appropriate, with styling houses and body engineers to deliver complete vehicle engineering programmes."
Ricardo employs more than 1,400 people; 70 per cent of them highly-qualified engineers and technicians. It has technical centres in the UK, Germany, the Czech Republic, and in the USA, in Detroit and Chicago.
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