International. Gigafactories are strategically critical to the UK's home energy and automotive sectors as the world transitions to an electrified future.
The West Midlands Gigafactory joint venture has appointed battery industry technology expert Richard Moore to spearhead its strategy and global contact with leading cell manufacturers. This key appointment will support the investment and development of what will become the UK's largest gigafactory.
Richard Moore is a global automotive battery expert with over 20 years of industry experience. He was previously a board member and chief engineering officer of Lotus, where he led the engineering of all sports cars, including the Evija electric hypercar.
Moore's previous high-profile industry positions include chief engineer at Jaguar Land Rover, where he led electrification engineering for powertrains across all Jaguar and Land Rover product programmes, including the Jaguar I-PACE, the company's first all-electric vehicle. In these roles, Richard has worked closely with Chinese battery manufacturers, including CATL and BYD.
"I am very excited to join the team behind West Midlands Gigafactory. This is a significantly important project for the region, the British automotive and home energy industries and the UK as we transition to an electrified economy. I look forward to using all my experience to carry out the project, with strategic advice and assistance in ongoing discussions with the global battery industry," Moore said.
Mike Murray, director of the West Midlands Gigafactory project, said: "As the world moves rapidly towards an increasingly electrified future, gigafactories have been identified as essential to the survival of the UK's energy storage and automotive sectors, as well as their future economic growth.
"We are very excited about the progress the West Midlands Gigafactory has already made, and Richard's appointment is a crucial step in our journey as we approach identifying a future occupant. We look forward to working closely with Richard and leveraging his world-class expertise."
Coventry City Council Member for Employment, Regeneration and Climate Change Mp Jim O'Boyle said: "The car industry is in the past, present and future of Coventry's DNA. We are extremely proud of our automotive heritage, history of innovation and as the SKILLS capital of the UK – West Midlands is ready to expand its capabilities and grow with the new Gigafactory joint venture."
"Our new battery technology expert exemplifies those capabilities and, with Richard's global influence, is well positioned to attract even more investment, skills and jobs to our region."
Today, more than 400 companies specialising in automotive and battery technology are based in the West Midlands. The region is home to a third of the UK's automotive employees and has a wealth of talent in automotive research, design, engineering and manufacturing.
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