'Big shoes to fill' - South Tyneside motor industry supremo lands top role
South Tyneside motor industry supremo lands top role and admits it’s ‘big boots to fill’.
A motor industry supremo who moved to South Tyneside as a teenager with just pennies in his pockets has been made head of the UK’s largest automotive body.
Martin Kendall, 59, also had just a single O level in woodwork to his name – but soon found his footing in metal and petrol.
It led to an illustrious career with companies including borough-based Ford Aerospace and global car-maker Nissan.
Now as managing director of LOGISTEED UK Limited - formerly Vantec Europe – he has been appointed chairman of the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA).
The NEAA works to drive innovation in vehicle technology through the expertise of members who include South Tyneside-based businesses.
‘Big shoes to fill’
He takes over from Professor Matt Boyle OBE, who served as chair from 2010 and is a founding director of the NEAA.
Martin, who lives in Cleadon and is a longstanding member of the NEAA board, said of his new post: “It is an honour to be asked to take over as the chair.
“I know I have big shoes to fill taking over from Matt.
“The NEAA has been growing in strength year-on-year since it began in March 2015, becoming the largest automotive cluster in the UK.
“I look forward to working with the team to ensure we continue that growth and deliver on our commitment to be a true value-added alliance to all of our member companies.”
Martin was raised in Fareham, near Portsmouth, and moved to South Tyneside aged 17 in 1984, that year landing his first job, at Ford Aerospace’s premises at Tyne Dock.
After two years, he switched to the newly opened Nissan plant at Sunderland, where he worked in material handling, later moving into material handling engineering.
In 2002, he joined Vantec, becoming managing director in 2011, and oversaw the design and construction of two logistics centres in Sunderland.
He is now responsible for LOGISTEED UK’s operations at Nissan Motor Manufacturing, Komatsu UK, Thorn Lighting, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (R-RMC), Bentley Motors, BMW Swindon and Oxford transport, AESC Envision and GE Vernova.
‘A strategic thinker’
Martin is a member of the LOGISTEED Global International Leadership Team and is co-chair of the LOGISTEED Global Automotive team.
His NEAA appointment was welcomed by Paul Butler, its chief executive, who said: “Matt Boyle has been a hugely influential figure on the North East manufacturing scene and has been an outstanding chair of the NEAA.
“We now welcome Martin Kendall as chair. A strategic thinker, Martin brings a leadership style that embraces continuous improvement, forward thinking, adaptability and innovation.
“He takes up the role of chair at a pivotal moment for the automotive sector, and we look forward to working with him and the Board to drive forward new opportunities and future growth.”
Professor Boyle said it had been an honour and privilege to lead NEAA’s board.
He added: “I know they will go from strength to strength. I wish Martin and the executive board, the NEAA team and the membership all the best for the future.”