The Automotive Council has today announced the appointment of a new industry leader to drive the future success of the UK’s world-famous automotive sector. Steve Marsh, Executive Director of Vehicle Programmes at JLR, becomes Industry co-Chair, accompanying Ministerial co-Chair Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business and Trade.
With the industry facing a once in a generation technology shift, as vehicles move to increasingly connected, automated and electrified systems, combined with changes in the global trade conditions the work of the industry-government Council has seldom been so important. The new Chairs will work closely together alongside other senior figures from across the sector who make up the Council, to ensure the UK automotive industry is globally competitive and is best placed to attract new investment, especially into its supply chain.
Steve Marsh was appointed Executive Director of Vehicle Programmes at JLR in 2024, having joined the company in 2022. With more than 37 years of international automotive sector experience, previously working at Nissan, Steve has had various job titles including Director of Manufacturing Operations and Vice President Roles in the US. Steve began his career as an apprentice and strongly believes in bridging skill gaps through professional development initiatives.
Sarah Jones MP was appointed Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in 2024. She was elected as MP for Croydon West in 2017. Her responsibilities as Minister of State at DESNZ consist of green jobs and skills, energy sector supply chains and green growth sectors and at DBT include advanced manufacturing, automotive and materials and critical minerals.
Steve Marsh, Executive Director of Vehicle Programmes at JLR, said ‘’I am honoured to take on the role of Industry co-Chair of the Automotive Council UK as our sector navigates an evolving global trade environment and the transformative shift towards connected, automated, and electrified vehicles. I am passionate about advancing the automotive industry and look forward to working alongside Sarah Jones MP and the Council to help support the UK automotive industry to compete on the global stage, attract investment and foster the skills needed for our industry’s success.”
Industry Minister Sarah Jones said, “With over 37 years of experience in the automotive sector, Steve’s leadership as the new Industry Co-Chair of the Automotive Council will be instrumental in driving forward the work of the Council and ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of automotive innovation. Thanks to Adrian Hallmark for his work as Industry Co-Chair and to Arun Srinivasan for his stewardship of the Auto Council while the process for appointing a new Industry Co-Chair was underway.”
The Automotive Council was established in 2009 to enhance dialogue and strengthen co-operation between UK government and the automotive sector. Activity is channelled through mission and enabling groups, supported by many working groups, including the Future Technology Group, and covers skills, competitiveness, digitalisation, supply chain and the transition to connected, automated and zero emission transport.
New leadership for Automotive Council
22 May 2025
The Automotive Council has today announced the appointment of a new industry leader to drive the future success of the UK’s world-famous automotive sector. Steve Marsh, Executive Director of Vehicle Programmes at JLR, becomes Industry co-Chair, accompanying Ministerial co-Chair Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business and Trade.
With the industry facing a once in a generation technology shift, as vehicles move to increasingly connected, automated and electrified systems, combined with changes in the global trade conditions the work of the industry-government Council has seldom been so important. The new Chairs will work closely together alongside other senior figures from across the sector who make up the Council, to ensure the UK automotive industry is globally competitive and is best placed to attract new investment, especially into its supply chain.
Steve Marsh was appointed Executive Director of Vehicle Programmes at JLR in 2024, having joined the company in 2022. With more than 37 years of international automotive sector experience, previously working at Nissan, Steve has had various job titles including Director of Manufacturing Operations and Vice President Roles in the US. Steve began his career as an apprentice and strongly believes in bridging skill gaps through professional development initiatives.
Sarah Jones MP was appointed Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in 2024. She was elected as MP for Croydon West in 2017. Her responsibilities as Minister of State at DESNZ consist of green jobs and skills, energy sector supply chains and green growth sectors and at DBT include advanced manufacturing, automotive and materials and critical minerals.
Steve Marsh, Executive Director of Vehicle Programmes at JLR, said ‘’I am honoured to take on the role of Industry co-Chair of the Automotive Council UK as our sector navigates an evolving global trade environment and the transformative shift towards connected, automated, and electrified vehicles. I am passionate about advancing the automotive industry and look forward to working alongside Sarah Jones MP and the Council to help support the UK automotive industry to compete on the global stage, attract investment and foster the skills needed for our industry’s success.”
Industry Minister Sarah Jones said, “With over 37 years of experience in the automotive sector, Steve’s leadership as the new Industry Co-Chair of the Automotive Council will be instrumental in driving forward the work of the Council and ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of automotive innovation. Thanks to Adrian Hallmark for his work as Industry Co-Chair and to Arun Srinivasan for his stewardship of the Auto Council while the process for appointing a new Industry Co-Chair was underway.”
The Automotive Council was established in 2009 to enhance dialogue and strengthen co-operation between UK government and the automotive sector. Activity is channelled through mission and enabling groups, supported by many working groups, including the Future Technology Group, and covers skills, competitiveness, digitalisation, supply chain and the transition to connected, automated and zero emission transport.