KEVIN Fitzpatrick, Nissan’s Senior Vice President for Manufacturing, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management in Europe, has been named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.
One of the original 22 supervisors hired to launch Nissan’s factory in Sunderland in the 1980s – now the largest plant in the history of the UK automotive industry – the honour has been awarded in recognition of services to manufacturing and engineering in North East England.
Kevin, who is 58 and is married with two sons, now oversees the manufacturing, purchasing and supply chain functions across Nissan’s Europe region, which covers plants in Sunderland, Spain and Russia. His many achievements include launching cars like the record-breaking Nissan Qashqai and all-electric LEAF – the world’s best-selling electric car.
As a former apprentice himself, Kevin has championed apprenticeships and careers in manufacturing and engineering, leading the launch of the Nissan Skills Foundation in 2014. More than 40,000 young people have now taken part in its programme of activities, aimed at promoting careers in industry.
Kevin said: “It is an extremely proud day for me, and is recognition for all of our achievements in the UK over the past three decades. Like everything we do in Nissan, it’s been a collective effort involving many thousands of skilled and hard-working colleagues.
“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all of the Nissan team, and to our many partners in the North East of England, for their contribution to the automotive sector in the region.”
