The Advanced Propulsion Centre appoints new CEO

Ian Constance joins the APC from Ford Motor Company

The Advanced Propulsion Centre, the £1 billion programme to help bring low carbon propulsion concepts to market, has appointed Ian Constance as its new chief executive.

Constance joins the APC from Ford Motor Company, having worked for the car manufacturer in the UK, Germany, China, Thailand and the US. He has 25 years industry experience.

Constance said: "It is a great privilege to join the Advanced Propulsion Centre and lead the future development of this remarkable collaboration between government and industry, which is driving investment and innovation in the UK. 

"I look forward to working with the wide range of APC partner organisations, academic institutions, SMEs, suppliers and manufacturers to focus our national resources as we create the Propulsion Nation, delivering growth in the automotive industry."      

He will take over the leadership of the APC from Tony Pixton in September.

In the past 16 months, the APC has invested in 10 projects worth more than £174 million, involving 54 organisations which will create or secure at least 4,500 jobs in the UK.

The technology will reduce emissions of CO2 by more than 12 million tonnes, driving growth for the UK’s automotive manufacturing sector in bus, commercial vehicle, engine, off highway, passenger car and van applications.