Ny Lotuschef
Posted: Thu 11 May, 2006 17:12
GROUP LOTUS PLC
EMBARGO
11 May 2006 1700 hrs
PRESS STATEMENT
CHANGES IN TOP MANAGEMENT OF GROUP LOTUS PLC
Group Lotus Plc announced today a change in the senior management of the
company.
With immediate effect, Mr. Michael J Kimberley (Mike) will take over as
Acting Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus Plc. Mike currently chairs the
Executive Committee of Lotus Group International Limited (LGIL).
Given his vast experience and expertise in the automotive industry, Mike is
a natural choice to manage the company and he will be supported by the
existing management team at the Company and will continue to draw upon the
support of the shareholder, Proton Holdings Berhad (PROTON), the ultimate
holding company. His priorities will include improving the overall
performance of Lotus as well as preparing and strengthening the specialist
car company and high-technology engineering and consulting company to
compete in a wider market and on a broader business base globally.
PROTON strongly believes that LOTUS has a critical role to play in the
Proton Group to enable it to become a successful automotive engineering and
manufacturing group and a prominent brand globally. Hence, PROTON will
continue to provide strong support to LOTUS and its group of companies. In
view of the above, PROTON has set up a special team to provide close and
specialist support to Mike and the management at Group Lotus Plc, to address
the key opportunities for LOTUS for the future.
Kim Ogaard-Nielsen, former CEO of Group Lotus Plc, has stepped down to
pursue his other entrepreneurial interests. Kim joined Group Lotus Plc in
November 2004 and has presided over a number of projects during the past
eighteen months. Lotus would like to record its thanks to him for his
service to the company during this period.
Speaking from LOTUS headquarters at Hethel today, Mike Kimberely said, 'All
specialist sports car companies operate in volatile and highly competitive
markets. However, sales of the Elise are moving ahead in the USA and are
being further enhanced by the new introduction of the Exige model. I can
assure our customers, business partners and all who watch this iconic marque
with interest, that LOTUS is a highly valued and integral part of the PROTON
Group.'
Notes for Editors
Michael J Kimberley's background:
Mike Kimberley has been associated with the LOTUS brand for over 22 years,
since joining its founder, the late Colin Chapman in 1969. He worked his
way up the Company, was appointed as the Managing Director of Lotus Cars
Ltd. between 1976 until 1983 and became the CEO of Group Lotus Plc between
1983 until the end of 1991.
Mike is a well-respected veteran of the automotive industry, having spent
over 30 years with various world-renowned automotive companies including
General Motors, Jaguar and Automobili Lamborghini SPA.
Two of his major achievements were the rejuvenation of Group Lotus Plc
following the tragic loss of its founder, Colin Chapman in the late 1982 and
the revival of the Italian supercar maker, Automobili Lamborghini SPA, in
1994.
More recently, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Group Lotus plc
as well as Lotus Group International in August 2005. Mike Kimberley also
chairs the Executive Committee of Lotus Group International.
For further information contact: Lotus PR at 01953 608264 or
pr@lotuscars.co.uk
"This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by attorney/client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and please contact the Group Lotus IT Service Desk.
Unauthorised use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail and its contents is strictly prohibited.
Please note that neither Group Lotus plc nor the sender accepts any responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the e-mail and attachments (if any).
Please note that in order to investigate unauthorised use and compliance with internal policies, incoming and outgoing communications may be monitored and intercepted by Group Lotus plc.
Postmaster at lotuscars.co.uk.
http://www.lotuscars.co.uk
http://www.lotuseng.com
http://www.lotussport.com
Group Lotus plc (company registration no. 606189)
Lotus Cars Ltd (company registration no. 895081)
Registered Offices: Hethel, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 8EZ, England"
EMBARGO
11 May 2006 1700 hrs
PRESS STATEMENT
CHANGES IN TOP MANAGEMENT OF GROUP LOTUS PLC
Group Lotus Plc announced today a change in the senior management of the
company.
With immediate effect, Mr. Michael J Kimberley (Mike) will take over as
Acting Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus Plc. Mike currently chairs the
Executive Committee of Lotus Group International Limited (LGIL).
Given his vast experience and expertise in the automotive industry, Mike is
a natural choice to manage the company and he will be supported by the
existing management team at the Company and will continue to draw upon the
support of the shareholder, Proton Holdings Berhad (PROTON), the ultimate
holding company. His priorities will include improving the overall
performance of Lotus as well as preparing and strengthening the specialist
car company and high-technology engineering and consulting company to
compete in a wider market and on a broader business base globally.
PROTON strongly believes that LOTUS has a critical role to play in the
Proton Group to enable it to become a successful automotive engineering and
manufacturing group and a prominent brand globally. Hence, PROTON will
continue to provide strong support to LOTUS and its group of companies. In
view of the above, PROTON has set up a special team to provide close and
specialist support to Mike and the management at Group Lotus Plc, to address
the key opportunities for LOTUS for the future.
Kim Ogaard-Nielsen, former CEO of Group Lotus Plc, has stepped down to
pursue his other entrepreneurial interests. Kim joined Group Lotus Plc in
November 2004 and has presided over a number of projects during the past
eighteen months. Lotus would like to record its thanks to him for his
service to the company during this period.
Speaking from LOTUS headquarters at Hethel today, Mike Kimberely said, 'All
specialist sports car companies operate in volatile and highly competitive
markets. However, sales of the Elise are moving ahead in the USA and are
being further enhanced by the new introduction of the Exige model. I can
assure our customers, business partners and all who watch this iconic marque
with interest, that LOTUS is a highly valued and integral part of the PROTON
Group.'
Notes for Editors
Michael J Kimberley's background:
Mike Kimberley has been associated with the LOTUS brand for over 22 years,
since joining its founder, the late Colin Chapman in 1969. He worked his
way up the Company, was appointed as the Managing Director of Lotus Cars
Ltd. between 1976 until 1983 and became the CEO of Group Lotus Plc between
1983 until the end of 1991.
Mike is a well-respected veteran of the automotive industry, having spent
over 30 years with various world-renowned automotive companies including
General Motors, Jaguar and Automobili Lamborghini SPA.
Two of his major achievements were the rejuvenation of Group Lotus Plc
following the tragic loss of its founder, Colin Chapman in the late 1982 and
the revival of the Italian supercar maker, Automobili Lamborghini SPA, in
1994.
More recently, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Group Lotus plc
as well as Lotus Group International in August 2005. Mike Kimberley also
chairs the Executive Committee of Lotus Group International.
For further information contact: Lotus PR at 01953 608264 or
pr@lotuscars.co.uk
"This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by attorney/client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and please contact the Group Lotus IT Service Desk.
Unauthorised use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail and its contents is strictly prohibited.
Please note that neither Group Lotus plc nor the sender accepts any responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the e-mail and attachments (if any).
Please note that in order to investigate unauthorised use and compliance with internal policies, incoming and outgoing communications may be monitored and intercepted by Group Lotus plc.
Postmaster at lotuscars.co.uk.
http://www.lotuscars.co.uk
http://www.lotuseng.com
http://www.lotussport.com
Group Lotus plc (company registration no. 606189)
Lotus Cars Ltd (company registration no. 895081)
Registered Offices: Hethel, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 8EZ, England"