HRH The Duke of Cambridge visited McLaren Automotive. He was given a tour of the McLaren Production Centre, in Woking. Mike Flewitt, McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer greeted His Royal Highness and accompanied him during the tour. Along the way, The Duke met some of the company’s 2,100 workforce who designed and hand-assembled a record 3, 286 cars last year, the majority exported around the world.
The Duke heard about McLaren’s efforts to encourage more young people to pursue science, engineering and maths-based (STEM) careers.
#McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt welcomes The Duke of Cambridge to the MTC pic.twitter.com/vtwJyQcQgm
— McLaren Automotive (@McLarenAuto) September 12, 2017
The Duke talked to Alex, one of the company’s young apprentices nominated as apprentice of the year. He then met Amina, a recent production apprentice, along with her mentor Mandy, to understand how the company supports her development to help nurture future talent, essential for a company blending cutting edge design with hand-built craftsmanship.
Mike also gave The Duke the chance to place the famous McLaren badge on one very special car before. After that, they saw a test of a model on a rolling road test bed.
Design Director Rob Melville explained to The Duke the philosophy behind McLaren’s latest supercar, the 720S. Launched in March, it is the first model in the second-generation Super Series that has already sold out for this year. And it is one of 15 new models and derivatives the company will deliver by 2022.
Rob explained how he develops the company’s design strategy, working with the engineering and manufacturing teams, as well as talking to customers, to help create the ultimate drivers’ cars.
McLaren Automotive is the largest part of the McLaren Group, which also includes a technology business and racing team. Their top managers – Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Neale and Executive Director Zak Brown – were also on-hand to welcome The Duke.
Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive, said:
“It’s a great personal honour to welcome The Duke to McLaren Automotive and something that each and every one of our people should feel justifiably proud of as a globally renowned British sports and supercar creator.
“Part of the McLaren DNA has always been about achieving engineering excellence and a pioneering spirit. That goes right back to our founder Bruce McLaren and is instilled in everyone one of us today. But I know that we can only continue to create world-beating cars and technologies that truly push the boundaries of what’s possible by harnessing the talents of an incredible and diverse group of men and women who all bring their unique skills and experiences to bear.”
It was a pleasure to have The Duke of Cambridge visit the McLaren Technology Centre today pic.twitter.com/JguOyK3IZT
— McLaren Automotive (@McLarenAuto) September 12, 2017
