A car designer at Morgan Motor Company has been recognised as a ‘Business Leader of Tomorrow’ at the 2008 Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards.
Matthew Humphries is the project associate of a KTP programme between Morgan and Birmingham City University.
Humphries’ past work with Malvern-based Morgan includes the ‘Aeromax’ concept vehicle, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 and a new four-seat version of Morgan’s traditional Plus 4 sports car.
He was selected as the project associate for a two year KTP programme between Morgan and Birmingham City University’s Technology Innovation Centre (TIC). Part-funded by the government, KTPs provide companies with access to graduate expertise, fully supported by university-based knowledge and technology resources.
The KTP programme aimed to develop Morgan’s in-house design capabilities and establish a design philosophy which would retain the company’s classical style, while embracing new market opportunities and the latest advanced technologies.
Working closely with other Morgan development staff, including project associates from two other Morgan-based KTP programmes, Matthew’s first major task was to prepare the Aeromax vehicle concept for production. The limited production run of 100 vehicles rapidly sold out.
Most recently, Humphries worked on Morgan’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered sports car, the LifeCar, unveiled at this month’s Geneva Motor Show.
He said: ‘The KTP programme has provided an excellent foundation for my career in a hugely competitive industry. It has been particularly rewarding to work with the Morgan team, to realise my designs in both concept and production vehicles.’
PMI falls as manufacturers feel the squeeze
17 months or two and a half years - which is it?