WMG Academy Coventry Governing Body:
Graham Thompsett (Chair of Governors)
Graham Thompsett is currently working as People Capability Director for Jaguar Land Rover based in Whitley in the United Kingdom, this is a new role from March 2015. In his new role Graham is responsible for Future Talent (Grads/Under Grads & Apprentices), and all experienced hiring as well as Learning and Development for everything up to Leadership Level 4.
Prior to this he spent 9 years in China carrying out three distinct projects for both Jaguar Land Rover and Ford Motor Company.
In 2006 he was responsible for developing the Ford Purchasing and Engineering Centre in Nanjing, China. The business grew from a staff of 40 to circa 400 in a two year period and delivered significant returns to Ford Motor Company. He came back to JLR China when Ford sold Jaguar Land Rover to TATA Motors.
In 2009 Graham became Head of HR for Jaguar Land Rover in China and watched the business grow from selling 700 cars a year to well over 100,000 cars today – this was a key factor in the company’s growth and success in the past six years.
Graham has held numerous senior Human Resources positions since joining Land Rover in 2001, including Head of Recruitment for JLR and also Head of Ford’s external training in Europe.
Passionate about People Capability, Graham served for six years on the Board of the Association of Graduate Recruiters in the UK, a body which Jaguar Land Rover has supported for well over a decade.
Contact Graham Thompsett at:
WMG Academy for Young Engineers, Mitchell Avenue, Coventry, CV4 8DY. Phone 024 7646 4551. Email info@wmgacademy.org.uk
Governors
Matt Brady (Principal)
Kate Tague (Executive Principal)
Diane Campton (Director of Finance)
Shaun Clayton
John Dodge
Rob Grute
Cllr David Kershaw
Jane Coleman
Dr Steve Maggs
WMG Academy Trust Board:
Mike Wright (Chair of the Trust Board)
Mike has a diverse, international portfolio of Chair, NED, Remco Chair and Advisor roles in FTSE and North American listed businesses, and in leading Education, Sports, and Arts organisations.
He was an Executive Director of Jaguar Land Rover, retiring in 2016 after making a significant contribution to doubling JLR’s scale since 2008. He held international ExCo-level roles under Tata, Ford, BMW and BAe Systems ownership, spanning strategic, commercial, government affairs and product development disciplines. His responsibilities covered all the major and emerging markets of Europe, US, China, India, and included a 4-year assignment in Germany.
In 2018 Mike was elected to the Uni-Select Inc (Canada) Main Board and became Audit Committee Chair in May 19. Also in 2018, he was appointed to the Main Board and became Remco Chair of Pendragon plc (UK).
He has wide experience of governmental affairs and currently Chairs the newly formed West Midlands Innovation Board and was previously Chair of the Auto Council-sponsored Automotive Investment Organisation within UK DIT (2016-18), Chair of the West Midlands CBI Council (2014-16), and Director of the Engineering Employers Federation (2011-2017).
His Education, Sports and Arts activities include: WMG Academy Trust Board Chair, Aston University Council, Baker Dearing Education Trust Board, Warwickshire County Cricket Club Board, Wasps Community Foundation Chair, and Governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Trustees
Stuart Baker
Jo Lopes
Sally Lucas
Rosie Drinkwater
Glenda Kershaw
Ben Storey
Charlotte Horobin
Graham Thompsett
Declarations of Interest
Please see the Governors’ Declarations of Interest here
Please see the Trustees’ Declarations of Interest here