The Forum is a training organization comprising vehicle manufacturers and government organizations which aims to improve the competitiveness of UK manufacturing. According to the SMMT, it has carried out more than 400 competitiveness and productivity courses and trained more than 25,000 people since 2002.
Fernihough began his automotive career as an engineering apprentice and has 40 years of experience in management and consultancy roles covering almost every area of the industry, the SMMT said. He has previously worked for Jaguar Land Rover, Ricardo and IBM.
“As the automotive sector forges a once-in-a-century transition, Ashley’s background in transformational growth makes him ideally placed to ensure SMMT Industry Forum helps automotive companies future-proof their businesses through improved skills, productivity and competitiveness,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.
