Top designer joins UK automotive consultancy Contechs

Leading Warwick-based design and engineering consultancy Contechs has made a prestigious new appointment aimed at boosting its global automotive design capabilities.

Contechs has appointed former Ford of Europe chief designer  Chris Hamilton to head up its vehicle design studio team. His appointment is aimed at strengthening Contechs' design studio capabilities and further enhancing the services Contechs provides to its OEM clients worldwide.

Chris Hamilton, 54, was chief designer for Ford of Europe and head of the manufacturer's strategic design team. During his 20-year career at Ford he was responsible for delivering multiple award-winning advanced and production design programmes. His projects included Kuga, Fiesta, Mondeo, Transit and Puma.

An industrial design graduate of Coventry University, he has worked for other global brands including Nissan and Phillips and has led design teams in the UK, Europe, Asia and North America.

He said, "I am delighted to be joining the Contechs team at this exciting time.  As the company continues to grow and strengthen its core engineering business, I see a lot of opportunity for us to develop new and innovative design services for our global clients.

"I look forward to bringing my experience in the design and automotive industry to the team and being part of the Contechs family."

Contechs group managing director Peter Jarvis said the appointment would enhance the company's services to its growing global portfolio of vehicle makers.

"It is a significant coup to get a design expert of Chris's stature onto our books.  He will take responsibility for delivering our design services to key automotive clients around the world and will lead the integration of our new technology, software and cloud resources to ensure that we stay at the front of design studio service providers around the globe."

With bases in Warwick, Basildon, Cologne and Chennai and almost 900 employees, Contechs works with the most prestigious international manufacturers and suppliers. Contechs experts use advanced design and engineering tools to develop next generation vehicle platforms and modules as the world moves towards hybrid, electric and alternative fuel technologies.