Appointments

In September 2019, I finished my contract at Makkina and started working with Charge Automotive, a new EV company based in the heart of London. I joined a rapidly growing team of highly talented individuals responsible for the development of the company’s 1960’s Electric Mustang concept. We are now tasked with developing and delivering 499 of these cars for production and sale to a select number of individuals.

Company profile as on the Charge Cars website; www.charge.cars

“Charge Automotive is a British company based in London. Our team has extensive experience in the development of luxury and high performance vehicles. Our engineers contributed to various projects for McLaren Automotive, Jaguar Land Rover and F1 Racing Teams. Moreover, we are passionate about eternal automobile classics!

We redefine great classic cars with advanced electric technology while preserving their iconic design. We believe in an emission-free future while giving ultimate performance to epic autolegends.”

I have literally just started this position so there is little to say… though I can tell you that it’s a highly exciting and stimulating environment to be in. And completely unlike any other position I have had in the past!

In October 2018 I was offered the opportunity to work with Makkina in Notting Hill, London. After 14 or so years of working with OEM’s it was exciting to switch things up a gear and work with this world renowned Automotive Design Consultancy led by its founder Michael Ani. I joined a team of extremely talented designers and modellers working closely with an impressive array of international clientele.

Company profile as on the Makkina website;  www.makkina.com

“Makkina was founded in 1998 by Michael Ani following many years’ experience in the automotive industry, with a number of concept and production cars already to his name, his goal was to establish a creative automotive design consultancy which should also work hand in hand with the OEM’s. In operating closely and discreetly as an extension of their own design facilities. Makkina has established strong links with its clients, who include OEM’s in Europe, Asia and the USA. Projects are undertaken from early ideation sketch phase, through digital and physical modelling, through to full-size prototype.”

During my short time there I have worked numerous projects from early concepts through to digital and physical models. Due to the discreet nature of the work we do at Makkina it is not possible to talk about this in any more detail. But rest assured it is fast paced, exciting and extremely varied!

Bentley Motors has today announced that John Paul Gregory will be its new Head of Exterior Design after SangYup Lee, the previous head, left earlier in the year

John Paul has spent more than 8 years with Bentley, most recently holding the position as Advanced Exterior Design Leader.

On John Paul’s promotion, Stefan Sielaff, Director of Design at Bentley Motors, commented:

“John Paul’s experience at Bentley is invaluable. He brings a passion for the brand and a deep understanding of the direction we wish to go in. This is an important time for the company as we look ahead to new models with John Paul, alongside our highly-skilled design team, bringing many insights and ideas to inspire the next great Bentley.”

Before joining Bentley in 2008, Gregory spent four years as an Exterior Designer for Volkswagen in Wolfsburg, following completion of a Masters Degree in Automotive Design at Hochschule Pforzheim University in Germany. Prior to this he studied in his native UK, gaining an Honours Degree in Transportation Design at the University of Northumbria, England.

On his appointment, John Paul Gregory commented:

“Bentley has an illustrious design history with an instantly recognisable, distinctive design language, one I am already very proud to play a part in evolving. I look forward to helping shape the next chapter and maintaining Bentley’s iconic status as a creator of luxurious, desirable, high performance cars.”

During the time that JP and I have worked at Bentley we have become great friends, so it is of particular pleasure to see him move into this pinnacle role at Bentley Motors. Congratulations!