The Norton Motorcycle Co Ltd has welcomed the appointment of Sir Ralf Speth, the former CEO of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to the board of directors of its parent company, TVS Motor Company. The experienced automotive global business leader will join the company as chairman, effective January 2023.

Sir Ralf is widely acclaimed for the transformation of the JLR brands, steering it towards the global force it is today. Prior to this, he has held senior roles within the automotive industry and is acknowledged within the industry for his exemplary leadership skills.

He was the recipient of a knighthood from the Queen in 2018 for his contributions to British industry, and was also named as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2020 for his passion for science.

This senior appointment comes at a time when Norton Motorcycles is making great progress under TVS Motor Company ownership, benefitting from significant new investment. Norton announced in January 2021 that the company is set to move into the most advanced manufacturing facility in the brand’s 122-year history. Norton is currently finalising work on construction of the new factory in Solihull, expected to open by the middle of the year.

Positive trajectory
John Russell, Interim CEO of Norton Motorcycles, said: “We are truly delighted to welcome Sir Ralf to the TVS Motor Company family. We know that Sir Ralf is a tremendous leader and his accomplishments in the automotive industry speak volumes.

“This excellent appointment comes at a time when the Norton Motorcycles business is on a very positive trajectory but still with much work to do. We will soon be settled in our ‘state of the art’ new manufacturing base and the guidance of Sir Ralf will be important for us as a growing British business that has a strong legacy.”

The outgoing chairman, Venu Srinivasan, who will become chairman emeritus of TVS Motor Company from January 2023, said: “It is a momentous occasion for TVS Motor Company to welcome Ralf to its Board. His passion for technology, eye for products and commitment to building brands are truly remarkable. His thoughts will add immensely to TVS Motor as the company shapes itself for the future. His deep insights and guidance will be invaluable to the management team as TVS Motor Company embraces the future of mobility.”

Norton’s new factory base will be the central hub for all of the company’s operations, providing a permanent base for all staff. The new headquarters will be home to design, engineering, purchasing, sales, marketing, and support teams as well as the skilled production team that is resuming manufacture of motorcycles.

Some of the specialist tooling and equipment previously used by Norton has been carried over to the new site in Solihull, but it is also benefitting from substantial new investment.

The Norton Motorcycle Co was acquired by TVS in April 2020 and the company is committed to ensuring Norton’s long-term future as a self-sufficient brand, true to its core values and heritage.