University News Last updated 24 February 2011
Manufacturing mogul, Charles Morgan, will receive an honorary doctoral degree from Birmingham City University on Friday 25 February in recognition of his outstanding contribution to British automotive engineering and his long-standing relationship with the University.
The Morgan Motor Company has become one of Britain’s leading motor car manufacturers since its inception in the early 1900s. Its accolades include Specialist Manufacturer of the Year, the Sir Henry Royce Award, and, in 2002, the company was voted one of the UK’s 100 most visionary organisations by British Telecom.
Charles joined the family business as Production Manager in 1985, completing his part time MBA in the management of manufacturing soon afterwards. He became Chief Executive Director in 2005, and in 2007, took on the role of Director of AeroRacing Ltd.
With Charles at the helm, Morgan Motor Company’s successes have gathered speed. He led the team that developed the first AIV (aluminium intensive vehicle), and designed a chassis that meets world safety standards but is 20 per cent lighter than comparable steel production monocoques. He also pioneered bodywork of super-formed aluminium, with Morgan becoming the first automotive manufacturer to assimilate this technology from the aircraft industry.
In 2010, the company was awarded a Ruban d’Honneur by HSBC as one of the ten finalists for European Business of the Year and the Richardson Brothers Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business.
In the same year, Charles was appointed to the Automotive Council Technology Advisory Board to facilitate the introduction of low carbon technology into the UK automotive supply chain. In 2012, he aims to make Morgan a manufacturer of a low emissions sports car.
He has been the driving force behind the AeroMax, a limited edition Coupé, and the Aero SuperSports, an edition of 200 super sports cars.
In 2009, he co-wrote Morgan 100 Years with Gregory Houston Bowden which, upon translation, was awarded best car book of 2010 by The German Motor Press Club.
His passion for cars extends to the racing circuit itself. In 1978 and 1979, Charles won the British Racing and Sports Car Club and British Racing Drivers Club production sports car championships driving a Morgan Plus Eight. In 1997 and 1998, he competed in the FIA International GT series driving a works Morgan Aero development car. The current version of this car, the Morgan Aero SuperSports, is now a frontrunner in the European FIA GT3 Series and the FSSAGT Super Series.
Morgan Motor Company has partnered Birmingham City University in a number of successful government-funded Knowledge Transfer initiatives in which academics and graduates team up with the firm in an exchange of expertise.
Charles is keen to maintain and establish links with the best universities and technological suppliers to maintain the process of continuous improvement throughout the company. In 2007, the company won the Lord Stafford Award for the best example of collaboration between business and the universities.
His award is due to be conferred at 10.45am on Friday 25 February at the Awards Congregation ceremony being held at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, which will celebrate the work and achievements of students graduating from the Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment.