Rolls-Royce Motor Cars welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood last week for her first official visit, as part of the marque’s 120th anniversary celebrations. The Princess Royal was joined by dignitaries, including: the Vice Lord-Lieutenant for West Sussex, Sir Richard Kleinwort; the High Sheriff, Mrs Philippa Gogarty; the Chair of West Sussex County Council, Councillor Pieter Montyn; the Chair of Chichester District Council, Councillor Clare Apel; and Jess Brown-Fuller, Member of Parliament for Chichester.
Chris Brownridge, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ CEO, introduced members of the Rolls-Royce Board including the directors of finance, manufacturing, sales and brand, global communications and human resources, before conducting Her Royal Highness on a tour of the plant.
He said: “Her Royal Highness makes her first visit to Goodwood at a pivotal moment in our history, as we embark on the biggest investment in our manufacturing facilities and capabilities since we began building motor cars here in 2003. Through meetings with a broad range of colleagues – including world-class craftspeople and the new generation of talent represented by our apprentices – we were delighted to have the opportunity to show The Princess who we are, what we do and our immense contribution to the local, regional and national economies. We are proud to continue the relationship Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has enjoyed with the Royal Family over many decades.”
Craft skillsThe tour took in key behind-the-scenes areas including the Surface Finish Centre, Bespoke and Starlight Headliner department, Assembly, Interior Trim and Interior Surface Centres and the Test and Finish facility. At each stop, The Princess Royal met managers, colleagues and apprentices, who explained how their materials, processes and craft skills contribute to creating each car.
The CEO and director of manufacturing then briefed Her Royal Highness on the site extension project now underway on land adjacent to the marque’s existing plant and global headquarters. Mr Brownridge explained that this represents the first major change to the physical footprint and facilities at the Home of Rolls-Royce since it opened in 2003.
The project is crucial to the company’s long-term sustainability and prosperity. More than 2,500 people work at the Home of Rolls-Royce, at Goodwood, and the company supports more than 7,500 jobs in its wider supply chain. A 2023 study by the London School of Economics found that Rolls-Royce contributes more than half a billion pounds to the UK economy every year, with a fifth generated locally in Chichester and West Sussex.
Attended by an audience of Rolls-Royce associates, Her Royal Highness unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit and signed the Visitors’ Book.