NISSAN Chief Planning Officer Andy Palmer was appointed as a Companion of The Order of St Michael and St George by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace today.
The prestigious honour, given in recognition of services to the British automotive industry, highlights the important role he has played in championing the UK as an automotive manufacturing base for Nissan, bringing a number of significant projects to the UK through his extensive knowledge of the country’s manufacturing and skills capabilities.
On receiving his award today, Mr Palmer commented: “I’m deeply moved to receive this prestigious honour in my native country, where I was educated, where my career in the automotive industry started as a 16-year-old apprentice, and where I’ve been privileged to contribute to Nissan’s commitment to the United Kingdom for more than 22 years.
“The UK is home to significant Nissan design, research and development, manufacturing and export facilities. Today I share this honour with the proud men and women at Nissan all over the world who are creating innovation and excitement for everyone.”
Mr Palmer joined Nissan in 1991 at the company’s European Technical Centre in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, as General Manager of Vehicle Design. After various roles at the Technical Centre, which is responsible for engineering cars for the European market, he was promoted to Deputy Managing Director for Nissan Engineering in Europe in 2001.
He moved to the company’s HQ in Japan in 2002, and in his current role of Chief Planning Officer he is responsible for global product, corporate planning and programme management, global brand, sales and marketing and the Electric Vehicle and Infiniti business leadership.