Mike Kimberley retires.
Discussion
Just had the email. All due to a bad back - bet he wishes they'd had probax in his day....!
The sound of a 'committee' running the show isn't good though...
Lotus Press Office said:
Mike Kimberley
The Chief Executive of Group Lotus, Mike Kimberley,
announced today that he is stepping down from his role due
to an ongoing back problem. An Executive Committee
comprising current Group Lotus board members supported
by the shareholder, Proton Holdings Bhd, will assume day-today
control of the business until a successor is appointed.
Mike, who will be 71 in August, has been suffering from severe back pain for a
number of months and underwent surgery in late 2008 which was only partially
successful. His doctors have now advised him to retire so as not to jeopardize
his long term health. Under these circumstances, the board has regretfully
accepted his resignation.
Dato’ Syed Zainal, Managing Director of Proton Holdings Bhd, said: “It is a
great shame that Mike’s health has forced his departure earlier than any of us
would have liked. He has been a great asset to Lotus over four decades.
Since his return in 2006, we have seen a huge turnaround in the fortunes of
this great company. He leaves Lotus with our deep gratitude and our very
best wishes for his retirement.”
Under Mike’s leadership, Lotus has produced the award-winning Lotus Evora,
which was recently launched to the world’s press with universal acclaim. He
has also overseen the expansion of Lotus Engineering, one of the world’s
most respected high-technology engineering consultancy businesses. Group
Lotus now has a positive and stable platform despite the global economic
downturn and is delivering against its defined growth targets in the company’s
strategic business plan.
Mike Kimberley said: “Sadly, it is on doctor’s orders that I am stepping down
but I will leave confident that Lotus is in great shape with a strong
management team fully supported by our shareholder in Malaysia. It’ll be very
hard to leave knowing that there are such exciting times ahead but I’ll take
with me many very happy memories. I want to extend my thanks to the
company’s shareholder for their unfailing support, my management team and
the wonderful staff both at Hethel and at our various operational locations
throughout the world. Most of all I want to thank our Lotus customers and
loyal fans worldwide for their support over the years.”
Mike will leave Lotus on 17 July 2009.
Hopefully get better, enjoy the retirement and thanks for raising the Lotus game!The Chief Executive of Group Lotus, Mike Kimberley,
announced today that he is stepping down from his role due
to an ongoing back problem. An Executive Committee
comprising current Group Lotus board members supported
by the shareholder, Proton Holdings Bhd, will assume day-today
control of the business until a successor is appointed.
Mike, who will be 71 in August, has been suffering from severe back pain for a
number of months and underwent surgery in late 2008 which was only partially
successful. His doctors have now advised him to retire so as not to jeopardize
his long term health. Under these circumstances, the board has regretfully
accepted his resignation.
Dato’ Syed Zainal, Managing Director of Proton Holdings Bhd, said: “It is a
great shame that Mike’s health has forced his departure earlier than any of us
would have liked. He has been a great asset to Lotus over four decades.
Since his return in 2006, we have seen a huge turnaround in the fortunes of
this great company. He leaves Lotus with our deep gratitude and our very
best wishes for his retirement.”
Under Mike’s leadership, Lotus has produced the award-winning Lotus Evora,
which was recently launched to the world’s press with universal acclaim. He
has also overseen the expansion of Lotus Engineering, one of the world’s
most respected high-technology engineering consultancy businesses. Group
Lotus now has a positive and stable platform despite the global economic
downturn and is delivering against its defined growth targets in the company’s
strategic business plan.
Mike Kimberley said: “Sadly, it is on doctor’s orders that I am stepping down
but I will leave confident that Lotus is in great shape with a strong
management team fully supported by our shareholder in Malaysia. It’ll be very
hard to leave knowing that there are such exciting times ahead but I’ll take
with me many very happy memories. I want to extend my thanks to the
company’s shareholder for their unfailing support, my management team and
the wonderful staff both at Hethel and at our various operational locations
throughout the world. Most of all I want to thank our Lotus customers and
loyal fans worldwide for their support over the years.”
Mike will leave Lotus on 17 July 2009.
The sound of a 'committee' running the show isn't good though...
Bah - beaten to it by PH news, as you were....
Edited by andy_s on Wednesday 15th July 18:01
Hat's off to Mike Kimberley, a real contribution to the Motoring world, and think quite fitting that he finished with the Evora. His Vision and determination are astonishing, it must of been extremely hard to get cars like the Evora off the ground and to compete against the likes of Porsche. Lotus is all about forward thinking and innovation and the Evora is that. There maybe some people that say the backseats are too small and not enough power etc etc. But I really don’t care, I love cars that provoke mixed reactions and the very fact that Mike Kimberley had the vision and motivation to get this off the ground makes even more special.
Above all I would like to Thank Mike Kimberley for his efforts, he should be very happy that he has contributed to cars that make people feel very happy indeed!
It’s a pleasure to be a Lotus customer!
Above all I would like to Thank Mike Kimberley for his efforts, he should be very happy that he has contributed to cars that make people feel very happy indeed!
It’s a pleasure to be a Lotus customer!
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