In acknowledgment of his remarkable achievements within the automotive sector, Mike Hawes, the Chief Executive Officer of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), has been bestowed with the prestigious Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Since assuming leadership of SMMT in 2013, Mr. Hawes has brought with him extensive expertise gained from his tenure in the automotive industry, both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Throughout his tenure, he has played a pivotal role in advancing the UK industry’s interactions with governments, stakeholders, and the media on a global scale, with the objective of establishing the nation as a premier destination for automotive enterprises.
During his tenure, Mr. Hawes has successfully guided the industry through significant challenges, including the intricacies of Brexit trade negotiations, the hurdles posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, global supply chain scarcities, the energy crisis, and the industry’s pursuit of achieving net zero emissions. Additionally, he has actively advocated the environmental advantages of new vehicle technology and facilitated foreign investment in the sector.
Significantly, Mr. Hawes has been integral in the establishment and operation of Mission Automotive, an initiative dedicated to placing former service personnel in roles across the automotive sector. Under his leadership, SMMT entered into the Armed Forces Covenant and was granted a Gold Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, marking the first trade association to receive such validation.
Apart from his responsibilities at SMMT, Mr. Hawes has been a influential figure within the Automotive Council, a collaborative partnership formed to promote cooperation between the government and the automotive industry.
In expressing his gratitude for the accolade, Mr. Hawes expressed, “Receiving such an award for services to the industry I love and have spent so much of my life championing is a huge honour. It is one I share with a dedicated and talented team at SMMT and a UK industry which wants to be the best. The past few years have been anything but smooth, but the UK sector has proven itself resilient, adaptable and, as ever, incredibly innovative.”
Mick Flanagan, SMMT President and Vice-President at Adient, applauded Mr. Hawes’ extraordinary contributions, stating, “It is fantastic to see Mike’s enormous contribution to the British automotive industry recognised in His Majesty’s Birthday Honours List.”
The well-deserved acknowledgement of Mr. Hawes’ steadfast commitment and outstanding leadership stands as a testament to the essential significance of the automotive industry and the substantial role that SMMT continues to play within it. His dedication and foresight have unquestionably made a lasting impact on the industry, shaping its trajectory for the years ahead.