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<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-famil ...
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<title>News & Press</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/</link>
<description><![CDATA[ Read about recent events, essential information and the latest community news. ]]></description>
<lastBuildDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2025 06:41:08 GMT</lastBuildDate>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<copyright>Copyright © 2025 MOTORSPORT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION</copyright>
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<title>Engineering change: Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team's 2024 Sustainability Report</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/705551/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/705551/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>MIA member Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team have shared the following update.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/member_logos/mercedes_logo_sept_23.png" style="width: 300px; height: 170px;" /></p><p style="text-align: left;">• 2024 Sustainability Report highlights Race Team Control emissions down by 35% </p><p style="text-align: left;">• Sustainable Aviation Fuel reduces aviation emissions associated with travel and freight by 68% </p><p style="text-align: left;">• Race and marketing trucks ran on HVO100 biofuel during 2024 European season achieving 98% coverage and replacing 170,000 litres of diesel </p><p style="text-align: left;">• Female representation across the team up to 18.1% with a 6.4% increase in team members from minority ethnic groups compared to 2019 </p><p style="text-align: left;">• External experts validated the strength of our governance framework enabling the team to operate efficiently and effectively at pace </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br />The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has today released our 2024 Sustainability Report, detailing the team's commitment to the pursuit of sustainable high performance. <br /> <br />The comprehensive report outlines our progress during the period of January to December 2024 and supports our ambition to become one of the most sustainable global professional sports teams. <br /> <br />Guided by our performance mindset and underpinned by robust governance, we demand the best from ourselves daily. The results published in our latest report reflect the dedication and innovation across our team and our efforts to create social impact, drive inclusion and catalyse change across our supply chain and beyond our sport. <br /> <br /><strong>Toto Wolff, Co-Owner, Team Principal & CEO, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team <br /></strong> <br />"Formula One is the world's fastest laboratory. A place where the sharpest minds, cutting-edge technology and a global platform combine to push the boundaries of what is possible. <br /> <br />When you combine performance with innovation and social impact, you create advantages that matter, advantages that catalyse change. Our ambition is to become one of the most sustainable global professional sports teams and I am proud to lead a team who are committed to engineering change on and off the track. <br /> <br />As you'll see in this year's report, we've gone from promises to proof points - at home, on the road, in the ways we go racing and, increasingly, beyond our world." <br /> <br />Our Sustainability Report is structured in four pillars through which we aim to create a lasting impact. <br /> <br /><strong>On the Road </strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">Reducing the footprint of our global operations and logistics as we travel around the world </p><p style="text-align: left;">• 35% reduction in market-based Race Team Control emissions with SAFc <br />• Aviation emissions associated with travel and freight reduced by 68% through SAFc - saving 9,860 tCO2e <br />• Our ambition is to cover 100% of our aviation footprint with SAFc <br />• 98% coverage of HVO100 biofuel for 2024 European season race and marketing trucks, saving 449 tCO2e, equivalent to an 80% reduction in emissions for every km </p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>At Home </strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">Minimising our environmental impact and fostering a thriving, inclusive culture across our home. </p><p style="text-align: left;">• Female representation across our team increased to 18.1% <br />• 6.4% increase in team members from minority ethnic groups compared to 2019 baseline <br />• 100% renewable electricity sourced through Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) used at our Brackley factory <br />• 26% reduction in company car fuel consumption through transition from fuel to electric fleet <br />• £56,000 of funding provided to our local community events and organisations <br />• 95 charitable causes supported through fundraising and donations <br />• Surplus team kit channelled into the best available next use with 1,022kg separated for recycling, 470kg donated and 222kg used for energy recovery </p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>In the Car </strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">Pushing for progress on and off the track by making our cars and technology more sustainable and advancing social impact through trackside initiatives. </p><p style="text-align: left;">• After research, iteration and testing throughout 2024, our ambition is to start using more sustainable carbon fibre composites in selected components of our race car <br />• Supported and upskilled our supply chain to address increasing emissions associated with purchased goods and services <br />• Over 400 students supported through factory visits, scholarships and outreach activities </p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Beyond Our World </strong></p><p style="text-align: left;">Going above and beyond to extend our influence through global collaboration and cross-industry leadership.</p><p style="text-align: left;">• 107 students completed the Mulberry STEM Academy programme in 2024, gaining factory experience and hands-on learning <br />• Expanded our involvement with AFBE's Mentoring Programme, pairing 20 students with engineers <br />• First motorsport team to sign The Climate Pledge committing to Net Zero by 2040 across our total emissions <br />• Continue to invest in natural and tech-based carbon removal including Chestnut Carbon, which helps towards the restoration of 200 hectares with 260,000+ native trees </p><p style="text-align: left;">Across all the pillars, we are committed to establishing and maintaining governance practices that are best in class in our industry, meet the high standards our stakeholders expect and enable the team to operate effectively at pace. In the fast-moving world of Formula One, maintaining robust governance standards is crucial for our performance on track, our reputation and our long-term success. <br /> <br />Governance Highlights <br />•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>External experts validated the strength of our governance landscape <br />•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Conducted best practice Double Materiality Assessment <br />•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>100% team completed Integrity Code training <br />•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Confirmed compliance with all relevant ESG regulations </p><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Bradley Lord, Team Representative & Chair of Environmental Working Group <br /></strong>"Our mission to become one of the most sustainable global professional sports teams is fundamental to who we are - it's embedded in every decision, every partnership, and every story we tell." <br /> <br /><strong>Anca Raines, Chief People Officer & Chair of Social Impact Working Group <br /></strong>"We believe that building a more inclusive and diverse culture helps us go faster and further - so we want to ensure everyone in our team can thrive and contribute their best." <br /> <br /><strong>Russell Braithwaite, Chief Financial Officer & Chair of Governance Working Group <br /></strong>"Robust governance and clear accountability don't just provide the foundations for our work, they are central to our integrity and ability to lead." <br /> <br />Our 2024 Sustainability Report reflects the progress we have made in creating a more sustainable future and the ambition that continues to drive us forward, but it also marks a starting point for what comes next. We recognise the power of our platform and therefore our responsibility to set a high standard and drive positive change wherever we can. <br /> <br />Focused on scaling innovation, strengthening partnerships, and embedding sustainability deeper into every aspect of our operations, we approach every challenge like we build our cars: as a team of problem-solvers in pursuit of sustainable high performance. <br /> <br />The road ahead will demand even greater collaboration, resilience and ambition, whether it's through decarbonising logistics, fostering inclusive culture or raising standards across our supply chain, we are ready to meet that challenge. <br /> <br />The full 2024 Sustainability Report can be downloaded <a href="https://news.mercedesamgf1.com/d?p00bvr6q000vt200d0000iuy000000000phdokj75xpobpr4nqwwuf700000bm000000bzk40e4" target="_blank">here</a> on the team website. </p>]]></description>
<category>July 2025</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>TOCA to operate and promote the BTCC through 2031</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/705549/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/705549/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>The following update is from BTCC.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/non-member_logos/btcc.png" style="width: 400px; height: 153px;" /></p><p><strong>Motorsport UK and TOCA confirm agreement for another five years<br /></strong><br />Motorsport UK and BARC (TOCA) Limited have today (10 July) announced the extension of its current agreement, with TOCA now contracted to operate and promote the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) through to the end of 2031.<br /> <br />The most recent and ongoing reappointment by Motorsport UK – the governing body of UK motorsport – will see TOCA continue to organise and promote the championship beyond the conclusion of the current contract, which ends in 2026. This new term ensures the continuation of that agreement for another five years, through to the end of 2031.<br /> <br />Running since 1958, the BTCC is the third oldest motorsport championship in the world, with only Formula 1 and NASCAR boasting longer histories in the sport. In the modern era, the BTCC welcomes up to 40,000 spectators each weekend, enjoys live free to air UK television coverage on the ITV network and is streamed live across the globe.<br /> <br />Now, thanks to this latest announcement, TOCA – one of the longest standing and renowned motorsport operators and promotors in the world – can continue to plan and invest in the long-term strategy for the UK’s most popular and competitive motorsport championship.<br /> <br />Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “This agreement is important for the sustained growth of the championship. The BTCC has been in safe hands for many years and this continuity of the commitment between TOCA and Motorsport UK ensures enduring stability for all our teams and stakeholders. <br /> <br />“As well, it enables us to commit to our updated technical regulations for 2027 and beyond, which will be released later this month, as well as all the other important elements in order to ensure the continued success and vibrancy of the BTCC.”<br /> <br />David Richards CBE, Chair of Motorsport UK, commented: “The British Touring Car Championship is one of the oldest, most popular and competitive motorsport championships in the world. <br /> <br />“TOCA have been wonderful custodians of the BTCC, utilising their expertise and know-how to operate and promote the championship with the highest of standards.<br /> <br />“Motorsport UK is delighted to confirm TOCA’s operation of the BTCC through to 2031 and we look forward to continuing and growing our partnership.”</p><p>Read more <a href="https://btcc.net/toca-to-operate-and-promote-the-btcc-through-2031/#:~:text=Motorsport%20UK%20and%20BARC%20(TOCA,to%20the%20end%20of%202031." target="_blank">here</a>.</p><div> </div>]]></description>
<category>July 2025</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Roadmap unveiled to boost rights for half of all UK workers and provide certainty to employers</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/705227/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/705227/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>The following update has come from Gov.uk</p><p><strong>Government publishes the Employment Rights Bill Implementation Roadmap, setting out timelines for measures in the Bill coming into effect.</strong></p><p>- Comprehensive roadmap for Employment Rights Bill to raise living standards across the country whilst giving employers and workers the time to adapt. <br /><br />- Sets out timelines for new landmark rights with 15 million, or half of all, workers set to start benefitting from later this year. <br /><br />- Government will continue to consult with employers, workers and trade unions to ensure the best deal for growth and boosting living standards in line with the Plan for Change. <br /><br />The Government has today (Tuesday 1 July) unveiled its comprehensive roadmap setting out how it will deliver its new package of workers’ rights through the plan to Make Work Pay. <br /><br />Landmark changes delivered through the Employment Rights Bill including sick pay for up to 1.3 million of the lowest earners and day one rights to parental and paternity leave will be introduced for the first time from early next year, demonstrating the government’s determination to boost living standards and protections for millions, whilst giving employers the certainty they need to plan for future changes. <br /><br />It also announces that the new Fair Work Agency will launch from early next year, creating a level-playing field so rogue employers cannot undercut good businesses who comply with the law. <br /><br />Informed by more than 190 pieces of engagement with businesses and other crucial stakeholders over the last 12 months, a phased approach was taken to give workers clarity and employers time to prepare. Key measures in the Bill will come into effect in 2026 and 2027, whilst further consultations are planned from this year into next. <br /><br />The reforms are a key part of the Government’s Plan for Change - the mission to make the country fit for the future by kick-starting economic growth and boosting productivity. <br /><br /><strong>Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: <br /></strong><br />We’re working fast to deliver our promise of better living standards and more money in the pockets of working people as part of our Plan for Change. <br /><br />These landmark reforms will kick in within months, demonstrating our commitment to making work pay for millions of workers across the country and delivering real change.<br /><br /><strong>Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: <br /></strong><br />The Employment Rights Bill is a core part of the Plan for Change, directly benefiting half of all workers and boosting living standards across the country. <br /><br /> Since the beginning, we have been working with businesses big and small to ensure this Bill works for them, and this roadmap will now give them the clarity and certainty they need to plan, invest and grow. <br /><br /> By phasing implementation, our collaborative approach balances meaningful worker protections with the practical realities of running a successful business, creating more productive workplaces where both employees and employers can thrive. <br /><br />Whether you’re a worker, an employer in the public or private sector, a trade union, a representative organisation, or from civil society, a wide range of voices have helped shape this Bill. <br /><br />Delivering change that works for everyone remains a priority, which is why the Government will continue to consult with business groups, employers, workers and trade unions in phases on the detail of the measures, beginning this summer and continuing into the new year. <br /><br />The rollout of all measures will follow a structured timeline, so that stakeholders can plan their time and resources to make sure they are ready when the changes come into effect. Highlights of the roadmap include: <br /><br /><strong>After the bill is passed: <br /></strong><br />- Immediate repeal of the strikes (minimum service levels) act 2023 and the majority of the trade union act 2016 to create a better relationship with unions that will prevent the need for strikes. <br /><br />- Protections against dismissal for taking industrial action to ensure workers can defend their rights without fear of losing their jobs. <br /><br /><strong>April 2026: <br /></strong><br />- Collective redundancy protective award – doubling the maximum period of the protective award to provide stronger financial security for workers facing mass redundancies. <br /><br />- ‘Day one’ paternity leave and unpaid parental leave to support working families from the very start of employment. <br /><br />- Whistleblowing protections to encourage reporting of wrongdoing without fear of retaliation. <br /><br />- Fair work agency established to enforce labour rights and promote fairness in the workplace. <br /><br />- Statutory sick pay – removing the lower earnings limit and waiting period <br /><br />- A package of trade union measures including simplifying trade union recognition process and electronic and workplace balloting to strengthen democracy and participation in the workplace. <br /><br /><strong>October 2026: <br /></strong><br />- Ending unscrupulous fire and rehire practices to protect workers from being forced into worse terms under threat of dismissal. <br /><br />- Regulations to establish the fair pay agreement adult social care negotiating body in England to raise standards and pay in the social care sector. <br /><br />- Tightening tipping law - strengthen the law on tipping by mandating consultation with workers to ensure fairer tip allocation. <br /><br />- Requiring employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees to create safer, more respectful workplaces. <br /><br />- Introducing an obligation on employers not to permit the harassment of their employees by third parties to extend protections to all work environments, including public-facing roles. <br /><br />- A package of trade union measures including new rights and protections for trade union representatives, extending protections against detriments for taking industrial action and strengthening trade unions’ right of access. <br /><br /><strong>2027: <br /></strong><br />- Gender pay gap and menopause action plans (introduced on a voluntary basis in April 2026) to promote gender equality and support women’s health in the workplace. <br /><br />- Enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers to safeguard job security during pregnancy, maternity leave and a return-to-work period. <br /><br />- Further harassment protections, specifying reasonable steps which will help determine whether an employer has taken all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment to provide clearer guidance and stronger enforcement against harassment. <br /><br />- Creating a modern framework for industrial relations to build a fairer, more collaborative approach to workplace relations. <br /><br />- Bereavement leave to give workers time to grieve with job security. <br /><br />- Ending the exploitative use of zero hours contracts to provide workers with stable hours and predictable income. <br /><br />- ‘Day 1’ right to protection from unfair dismissal to ensure all workers are treated fairly from the start of employment. <br /><br />- Improving access to flexible working to help people balance work with family, health, and other responsibilities. <br /><br />To ensure employers and workers are in the best possible position when these measures come into effect, the Government will produce clear and comprehensive guidance to help organisations navigate the changes. This guidance will be made available in advance of implementation deadlines to allow time for familiarisation and preparation. <br /><br />The Government will also work closely with Acas which will play a crucial role in both implementation of the new measures and continuing to provide support to employers and workers moving forward. <br /><br />By taking a phased and measured approach to implementation, the Government aims to create lasting positive change to employment rights in the UK that works for both workers and businesses. <br /><br /><strong>Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, commented: <br /></strong><br />We asked for a clear plan from the government, so we’re pleased to see this roadmap launched today, which will give employers some more clarity to prepare for the biggest set of workplace reforms in decades. <br /><br />We’re pleased to see that the measures are being phased in gradually over many months. This will give more time for further consultation on key points of detail, and organisations more time to update their policies and practices. <br /><br />It’s positive to see the recognition of the critical role for Acas in supporting employers to comply with the new measures. We will work with the government to help provide the guidance the HR profession and managers need to implement the upcoming changes. Small businesses in particular will need clear advice and guidance to help them comply.<br /><br /><strong>TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: <br /></strong><br />After the failed era of insecure work and squeezed living standards, the Employment Rights Bill is badly needed. Banning exploitative zero hours contracts, giving workers a stronger voice and ending fire and rehire are all common-sense and popular reforms. <br /><br />It’s welcome that workers will start to benefit from these long overdue changes from later this year - but this timetable must be a backstop. We need to see these new rights in action as soon as possible. Decent employers don’t need to wait for the law to change. They should be working with staff and unions right now to introduce these changes as quickly as possible. <br /><br />It’s time to level up Britain’s workplaces and end the scourge of insecure work.<br /><br /><strong>Co-op Group CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq said: <br /></strong><br />The Co-op is supportive of the Government’s ambitions to strengthen rights for workers through the Employment Rights Bill – as the world’s oldest and UK’s largest consumer co-operative, doing right by our 54,000 colleagues is core to our approach to doing good business. <br /><br />We are convinced that treating employees well promotes productivity – it helps employers recruit, develop and retain the talent they need. Working in partnership with Government we believe this Bill is a once in a generation opportunity to ensure all workers are treated fairly whoever their employer might be.<br /><br /><strong>Neil Carberry, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Chief Executive, said: <br /></strong><br />This clear timeline on the Employment Rights Bill gives room for full and frank consultation on how the new rules will be structured. It also gives businesses important time to plan. <br /><br />Now we have the roadmap, ongoing and meaningful engagement will be critical to ensuring new regulations allow the flexibility workers and companies value to remain. That’s what gives workers freedom and choice, and helps businesses adjust in changeable markets. A clear process which addresses reasonable business concerns about the new rules is essential. <br /><br />The Bill is a real opportunity to update workplace protections in a way that reflects how people work today, but getting the balance right will be crucial to supporting the government’s growth ambitions.<br /><br /><strong>Acas Chief Executive Niall Mackenzie said: <br /></strong><br />We welcome the publication of the Employment Relations Bill Roadmap, giving clarity to employers and workers on the timescale for these important changes to employment law. At Acas, we know that good workplace relations is at the heart of resilient, successful organisations and good business. It is encouraging to see the government place employment relations at the heart of its plan to grow the economy. <br /><br />Acas will continue to work with the Department for Business and Trade, employers, trades unions and others to support employers and workers. We are proud to be the go-to organisation to help navigate changes to workplace relations through our expert Codes, guidance and freely available advice.<br /><br /><strong>Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: <br /></strong><br />Clear and precise timelines on when aspects of this legislation, and the processes to deliver them, will come into force is essential, and it was important that the Government embark on providing clarity. <br /><br />There are substantial changes for businesses in the Employment Rights Bill and it’s right that the Government is using the appropriate implementation periods for the most complex issues for hospitality, in order to get the details right for both businesses and workers.<br /><br /><strong>Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy said: <br /></strong><br />With such an important and technical piece of legislation, there is always a balance to be struck between speed and precision, and this sensible timetable ensures that there is sufficient time to make sure the legislation is robust and works as intended. <br /><br />The Bill rightly involves a significant rebalancing of workplace power in favour of employees, and this must lead to improved industrial relations based on constructive working between unions and employers. <br /><br />Ultimately, the big change we need in the labour market is an increase in trade union membership and density in the private sector, and it is welcome that next year will see the lifting of many of the restrictions that have constrained the growth of unions and our ability to represent workers across the economy.<br /><br /><strong>Community Assistant General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said: <br /></strong><br />It’s great that we now have a comprehensive roadmap in place for the Employment Rights Bill. <br /><br />The government has engaged diligently with unions and businesses during the development of the bill, and we are proud to have played a role in shaping what we believe will be a transformative piece of legislation for working people across the UK. <br /><br />We will continue to work closely with the Department for Business and Trade to ensure that the bill is successful, and we would encourage other stakeholders to do the same.<br /><br /><strong>Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said: <br /></strong><br />It is good to see that this Government is matching words with action on trade union rights. There’s always more that can be done, but the Employment Rights Bill represents the biggest improvement in workers’ rights for a generation. <br /><br />GMB members now know when these much-needed improvements will happen - we urge good employers not to wait; do the right thing and make these changes a reality today."</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/roadmap-unveiled-to-boost-rights-for-half-of-all-uk-workers-and-provide-certainty-to-employers?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=b57b93de-1240-4b25-9d2d-93c6ca3fa185&utm_content=weekly" target="_blank">Read more here.</a></p><br />]]></description>
<category>July 2025</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 7 Jul 2025 10:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Sauber Motorsport Opens Technology Centre at Bicester Motion, UK</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/705040/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/705040/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/non-member_logos/non-member_logos_2/sauber-group-vector-logo.png" style="width: 300px; height: 122px;" /></span></h1><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;">Sauber Motorsport Opens Technology Centre at Bicester Motion, UK</span></h1><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">New UK Technology Centre will support the Audi F1 Project’s HQ in Hinwil, Switzerland.<br /> </span></li> <li style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">The site will be used as a base for UK based engineers as Sauber Motorsport’s transformation into the future Audi F1 factory team continues.</span></li> </ul><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><br /> Hinwil, 1 July 2025 – Sauber Motorsport has announced the opening of its new Technology Centre at Bicester Motion, United Kingdom, which marks the next step in its Audi F1 Project transformation.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Bicester Motion is a 444-acre (179 hectare) future mobility estate strategically located in the heart of ‘Motorsport Valley’, a region renowned for its concentration of high-performance motorsport expertise, as the Audi F1 Project’s preparations continue to enter the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2026.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">The facility’s primary purpose is to enhance and expand the team’s technical capabilities, to ensure the team is well-positioned to attract top engineering talent and foster partnerships with leading industry supply chain specialists.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">The Bicester centre in Building 123 will provide a base for the team to benefit from the expertise within the region and support the Audi F1 Project’s HQ in Hinwil, Switzerland, to create a cohesive and integrated approach to all aspects of the project.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: black;">Mattia Binotto, Head of Audi F1 Project:</span></strong><span style="color: black;"> "The opening of the Sauber Motorsport Technology Centre at Bicester Motion is a significant milestone as we prepare for Audi's arrival in Formula 1. This facility will allow us to tap into the talent pool in Motorsport Valley and further strengthen our technical capabilities while being part of a thriving cluster at Bicester Motion where you live and breathe motorsport. The support it will play to Hinwil will be important to our long-term success."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: black;">Daniel Geoghegan, Chief Executive Officer, Bicester Motion:</span></strong><span style="color: black;"> “We warmly welcome Sauber Motorsport in what is an exciting step in its Audi F1 transformation ahead of next year’s F1 season. It is thrilling that Bicester Motion has been chosen as their UK base connecting into their Swiss and German operations to support their vision to deliver sustainability, innovation, and maximum performance in motorsport. They join many other pioneering automotive and aviation companies, along with Motorsport UK, the governing body of this great industry, already based here. We look forward to seeing their team develop and their transformation on and off the track continue.”</span></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial;">Sauber Motorsport is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology in Formula 1 as its transforms into the future Audi F1 factory team. The Bicester Technical Centre will represent a significant investment in the future of the team and underscore the commitment to achieving excellence on and off the track.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Arial;">To find out more <a href="https://www.sauber-group.com/" target="_blank">click here.</a></span></p>]]></description>
<category>July 2025</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 2 Jul 2025 16:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Polar Technology to host Make UK Defence Networking Event</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/705001/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/705001/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/member_logos/polartrigroupcol.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 228px;" /></strong></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;"><strong>Make UK Defence Member Networking Event: </strong></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><strong> <span style="line-height: 107%;">“Advanced Composite and Metallic Technology” 26th November 2025</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="line-height: 107%; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Polar Technology and Make UK Defence are delighted to co-host an exclusive member networking event centred around the theme of "Advanced Composite and Metallic Technology."</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 107%; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Some typical benefits of these technologies include improved overall system efficiency and performance from: lightweight low inertia drivelines, market leading pressure vessel storage efficiency, vehicle safety roll over protection, thermal management and system durability integrity amongst others.</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 107%; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">We are excited to share our unique offering to the sector and facilitate the networking and sharing of ideas as the defence industry enters a pivotal, propitious moment.</span></p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"> <span style="line-height: 107%;"> If you are not a member, but would still like to attend, then please email george.brown@polartechnology.co.uk</span></span>]]></description>
<category>July 2025</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 2 Jul 2025 10:14:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Implementing the general terms of the United States of America-United Kingdom economic deal</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/704520/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/704520/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>The article below is an update from The Whitehouse, USA.</p><p>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862) (section 232), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby determine and order:<br /><br />Section 1. Background. On May 8, 2025, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer and I announced the General Terms for the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Economic Prosperity Deal (General Terms). The General Terms outline a historic trade deal that provides American companies unprecedented access to British markets while bolstering the national security and economy of the United States. The deal includes billions of dollars of increased market access for American exports, especially for beef, ethanol, and certain other American agricultural exports. In addition, the United Kingdom will reduce or eliminate numerous non-tariff barriers that unfairly discriminate against American products, hurt the United States’ manufacturing base, and threaten the national security of the United States.<br />The General Terms provide, among other things, that the United States intends to create an annual quota of 100,000 vehicles for United Kingdom automotive imports at a 10 percent tariff rate. In the General Terms, the United Kingdom also committed to working to meet American requirements on the security of the supply chains of steel and aluminum products intended for export to the United States and on the nature of ownership of relevant production facilities. Provided the United Kingdom meets these requirements, the United States intends to promptly construct a quota at most-favored-nation rates for steel and aluminum articles and certain derivative steel and aluminum articles that are products of the United Kingdom in the context of implementing the General Terms. <br />Furthermore, in the General Terms, the United States and the United Kingdom committed to negotiate significantly preferential treatment outcomes on pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients that are products of the United Kingdom, contingent on the findings of an investigation regarding pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients under section 232, and provided that the United Kingdom complies with certain supply chain security standards. Finally, in the General Terms, the United States and the United Kingdom committed to adopt a structured, negotiated approach to addressing United States national security concerns regarding sectors that may be subject to future section 232 investigations. To that end, the United States and the United Kingdom further committed to strengthen aerospace and aircraft manufacturing supply chains by establishing tariff-free bilateral trade in certain aerospace products.<br />In my judgment, I determine that the following actions are consistent with the national interests of the United States and are necessary and appropriate to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025 (Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff To Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), as amended, and to reduce or eliminate the threats to national security found in Proclamation 9704 of March 8, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States), as amended; Proclamation 9705 of March 8, 2018 (Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States), as amended; and Proclamation 9888 of May 17, 2019 (Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States), as amended.<br /><br />Sec. 2. Automobiles and Automobile Parts. (a) I hereby establish an annual tariff-rate quota of 100,000 automobiles as classified in heading 8703 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) and as further specified in note 33(b) to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS for automobiles that are products of the United Kingdom. Imports of automobiles within the tariff-rate quota that would otherwise be subject to a 25 percent tariff under Proclamation 10908 of March 26, 2025 (Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States), shall instead be subject to a 7.5 percent tariff, in addition to the most-favored-nation rate for automobiles of 2.5 percent, for a combined tariff of 10 percent. Imports of automobiles in excess of the tariff-rate quota shall remain subject to the full duties imposed by Proclamation 10908. The tariff-rate quota shall be adjusted for calendar year 2025 to reflect the General Terms’ operative date of May 8, 2025. The quota shall be effective 7 days after the publication of this order in the Federal Register.<br />(b) Automotive parts specified in note 33(g) to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS that would otherwise be subject to a 25 percent tariff under Proclamation 10908 shall instead be subject to a total tariff of 10 percent (including any most-favored-nation tariffs), provided that they are products of the United Kingdom and are for use in automobiles that are products of the United Kingdom. This change shall be effective as of the date of the publication of the Federal Register notice described in subsection (c) of this section. <br />(c) Within 7 days of the date of publication of this order in the Federal Register, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), in consultation with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shall publish a notice in the Federal Register modifying the HTSUS consistent with this section, if necessary. <br />(d) The Secretary may issue rules, regulations, guidance, and procedures to carry out the provisions of this section.<br /><br />Sec. 3. Aerospace. (a) With respect to products of the United Kingdom that fall under the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, the tariffs imposed through the following Presidential actions and subsequent amendments to those actions shall no longer apply, as of the date of publication of the Federal Register notice described in subsection (b) of this section:<br />(i) Executive Order 14257, as amended;<br />(ii) Proclamation 9704, as amended; and<br />(iii) Proclamation 9705, as amended. <br />(b) Within 7 days of the date of publication of this order in the Federal Register, the Secretary, in consultation with ITC and CBP, shall publish a notice in the Federal Register modifying the HTSUS consistent with this section, if necessary.<br />(c) The Secretary may issue rules, regulations, guidance, and procedures to carry out the provisions of this section.<br /><br />Sec. 4. Aluminum and Steel Articles and Their Derivative Articles. (a) At a future time that the Secretary, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative, deems appropriate, the Secretary shall design and establish a tariff-rate quota for aluminum articles and derivative aluminum articles that are products of the United Kingdom, consistent with the General Terms and the purpose of this order. Imports of aluminum articles or derivative aluminum articles that are products of the United Kingdom in excess of the tariff-rate quota established by the Secretary shall remain subject to the duties set forth in Proclamation 9704, as amended. <br />(b) At a future time that the Secretary, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative, deems appropriate, the Secretary shall design and establish a tariff-rate quota for steel articles and derivative steel articles that are products of the United Kingdom, consistent with the General Terms and the purpose of this order. Imports of steel articles or derivative steel articles that are products of the United Kingdom in excess of the tariff-rate quota established by the Secretary shall remain subject to the duties set forth in Proclamation 9705, as amended.<br />(c) In determining when to establish, whether to establish, and the design of a tariff-rate quota for aluminum and steel articles and their derivatives, the Secretary shall act in a manner consistent with the national interests of the United States and the purpose of this order and shall consider factors he deems appropriate, such as actions taken by the United Kingdom to implement the General Terms and any final agreement entered by the United States and the United Kingdom subsequent to the General Terms; the need to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14257, as amended; and the need to reduce or eliminate the threats to national security found in Proclamation 9704, as amended, and Proclamation 9705, as amended. <br /><br />Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:<br />(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or<br />(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.<br />(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.<br />(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.<br />(d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Commerce.<br /></p><div>For more information please click <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/implementing-the-general-terms-of-the-united-states-of-america-united-kingdom-economic-prosperity-deal/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>The New Koenigsegg Sadair's Spear</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/704784/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/704784/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="line-height: 107%; font-size: 20px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/pit_boards/2025/kg14-press-9_2.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 219px;" /><br /><br />The New Koenigsegg Sadair's Spear</strong></span><br /><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Koenigsegg proudly presents Sadair’s Spear.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">With increased power, reduced weight, a track-focused interior, upgraded brakes and suspension, and finely tuned aerodynamics, Sadair’s Spear delivers an extraordinary combination of blistering track capability and full road legality across global markets and sets a new bar in Koenigsegg´s performance evolution.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">A Name Rooted in Heritage</strong></span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The inspiration behind the name "Sadair’s Spear" is deeply personal. Christian von Koenigsegg previously honoured his father, Jesko, on his 80th birthday by naming the Koenigsegg Jesko after him—a heartfelt tribute for his invaluable support during Koenigsegg’s formative years.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jesko von Koenigsegg was a passionate gentleman jockey with lifelong ties to Sweden’s equestrian community. His favourite racehorse—the one he rode in his final race in 1976—was named Sadair’s Spear.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Fittingly, the car bearing this storied name is uncompromisingly engineered for peak track performance.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">Performance Highlights:</strong></span></span></p><ul style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><li style="line-height: 18px; margin-top: 14pt; margin-left: 31.91pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">A new lightweight, top-mounted double-blade active rear wing optimized for increased downforce.</span></li><li style="line-height: 18px; margin-left: 31.91pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Elongated rear-end design to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and stability.</span></li><li style="line-height: 18px; margin-left: 31.91pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Expanded front canards, louvres, and reengineered hood vents, including a new Gurney flap, delivering superior cooling for sustained high-performance.</span></li><li style="line-height: 18px; margin-left: 31.91pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Redesigned air intakes for enhanced engine breathing, adding 20hp with standard fuel and 25hp using E85.</span></li><li style="line-height: 18px; margin-left: 31.91pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Improved oil cooling capability, essential for sustained track driving in high-temperature conditions.</span></li><li style="line-height: 18px; margin-left: 31.91pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Exclusive Sadair’s Spear 7-spoke turbine-blade Aircore carbon fibre wheels, with unique directional designs at each corner.</span></li><li style="line-height: 18px; margin-left: 31.91pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Upgraded wider, track-oriented tires for exceptional grip.</span></li><li style="line-height: 18px; margin-left: 31.91pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Bespoke suspension setup featuring lightweight springs and Koenigsegg-designed Triplex dampers for superior track handling.</span></li><li style="line-height: 18px; margin-left: 31.91pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Enhanced multi-layer carbon-ceramic brakes with upgraded pad materials.</span></li><li style="line-height: 18px; margin-left: 31.91pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Bespoke interior styling exclusive to Sadair’s Spear.</span></li><li style="line-height: 18px; margin-left: 31.91pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Unique Sadair’s Spear racing seats with optional 6-point harnesses*.</span></li></ul><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span><strong style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">Aerodynamics – Mastery of Airflow</strong></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Unmatched aerodynamic performance is central to Sadair’s Spear. Koenigsegg’s advanced CFD team meticulously optimized airflow, ensuring unprecedented downforce and cooling. The active, top-mounted double-blade rear wing is carefully crafted for maximum cornering traction at track speeds, working in harmony with refined underfloor strakes and wheel arch louvres.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Balancing this rear downforce, the front-end aero package—including larger canards, enhanced hood vents, and refined wheel arch louvres—further increases cooling efficiency and downforce. Together with the front Triplex damper and Active Ride Height system, these enhancements deliver extraordinary steering feedback and dynamic handling.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Specially designed rear hood scoops further boost engine performance at high speeds, while a revised front hood vent with integrated Gurney flap ensures optimal cooling airflow, providing additional downforce in critical areas.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">Drivetrain – Exhilarating Power Redefined</strong></span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Powering Sadair’s Spear is Koenigsegg’s formidable twin-turbo V8 engine, delivering astonishing responsiveness via the revolutionary flywheel-free Light Speed Transmission (LST), capable of revving at a staggering 46,000 rpm/s.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Enhanced airflow and cooling, coupled with an engine calibration update, increase output to 1,300hp on regular unleaded fuel, and up to 1,625hp using eco-friendly E85 fuel.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Celebrating a decade since the groundbreaking Koenigsegg One:1, Sadair’s Spear pushes the power-to-weight boundary even further, dropping around 35 kg of weight to achieve an extraordinary ratio, even surpassing the iconic 1:1 benchmark.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Koenigsegg continues its unmatched legacy as the world’s only premier manufacturer of fully homologated road vehicles exceeding a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">Interior – Minimalism Meets Performance</strong></span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Inside, the cockpit of Sadair’s Spear showcases a lightweight, minimalist center console and redesigned carbon fibre seats. Standard three-point seatbelts can be optionally upgraded to a 6-point racing harness*.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">True to its track-oriented philosophy, gear changes via the Light Speed Transmission are executed solely through steering wheel-mounted paddles.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Weight reduction continues throughout the interior, saving 2.6 kg through reduced sound insulation, another 1.3 kg with new carbon fibre techniques, and further contributions from lightweight interior and mechanical components, collectively shedding 35 kg.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Koenigsegg’s hallmark comforts and advanced features remain: the steering-mounted SmartCluster display, SmartCenter command interface, USB connectivity, inductive phone charging, Koenigsegg’s innovative Autoskin system, and birds-eye parking assist.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">A Testament to Performance</strong></span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The final creation is both visually captivating and mechanically groundbreaking, expertly balanced to dominate on roads and circuits alike.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">During initial shake-down tests at Gotland Ring, Sadair’s Spear immediately shattered the previous lap record, set by the Jesko Attack by an impressive 1.1 seconds, demonstrating its immense untapped potential.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Christian von Koenigsegg states:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“Sadair’s Spear represents a natural progression for Koenigsegg—an impeccable balance of raw power, refined aerodynamics, and extraordinary road presence. This car is destined to set records. Achieving such track dominance in a fully road-legal vehicle is nothing short of remarkable.”</span></span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Sadair’s Spear, with production strictly limited to 30 units—all instantly sold upon its private unveiling—is an iconic addition to Koenigsegg’s storied legacy.</span></p><p style="margin: 14pt 0px; font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">To find out more <a href="https://news.cision.com/koenigsegg/r/the-new-koenigsegg-sadair-s-spear,c4167951" target="_blank">click here.</a></span></p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:18:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Peter Digby wins 2025 MIA Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Motorsport Industry</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/704427/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/704427/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/event_images-logos/2025/hol/mia_and_hol_award_winner_mid.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 320px;" /></p><p>25 June 2025</p><p>The Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) is delighted to announce that the 2025 winner of its prestigious Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Motorsport Industry is Peter Digby. </p><p>Peter, Chairman of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), was former President of Xtrac and Chairman of the MIA. He was presented with the Award at the House of Lords, London, last night during the MIA’s annual Summer Reception. </p><p>This prestigious Award from the MIA — the world’s leading organisation for the motorsport and high-performance engineering industry — recognises outstanding personal contribution to this industry. Past winners include Toto Wolff, Ross Brawn OBE, Martin Brundle OBE, Adrian Newey OBE, and Sir Jackie Stewart. Throughout his career, Peter has made a lasting and positive impact on British motorsport and its global reputation.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/event_images-logos/2025/hol/hol_award_group_with_bic_mid.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></p><p>Peter started his motorsport career in 1979 at Williams Racing, rising to become Production Manager. After a short spell at Haas Lola as Assistant Managing Director, in 1986, former Hewland engineer Mike Endean persuaded him to join the fledgling British transmission manufacturer Xtrac, which he went on to lead to success over the following decades.</p><p>Operating from its headquarters in Thatcham, Berkshire, Xtrac established facilities in the United States in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Mooresville, North Carolina and recently, Austria. <br /> <br />Xtrac recently dominated the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, supplying transmissions to 90% of the grid. They are now the exclusive transmission supplier to the NTT IndyCar Series, the NASCAR Cup Series, LMDh entries in IMSA, the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), and the eWRX, the first all-electric off-road FIA World Championship.</p><p>Under Peter’s leadership, Xtrac’s increasingly global footprint and its focus on fostering young talent through many apprenticeship schemes has established the company as one of Motorsport Valley<sup>®</sup>’s greatest success stories.</p><p>Peter moved on to become Chairman of the BRDC, the operator and owner of Silverstone Circuit, home of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix. Peter led the team which negotiated a new ten-year deal with Formula One Management (FOM), securing the British Grand Prix’s future at Silverstone until at least 2034.</p><p>Peter was Chairman of the MIA for five years, nurturing the international trade body of motorsport and high-performance engineering from 2003 to 2008.</p><p><strong>Peter Digby said:</strong></p><p><strong> </strong>“Winning the MIA Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Motorsport Industry is a great event for me. I’ve been involved with the MIA for well over 30 years, I’ve been Chairman of the Association, and I’ve seen what it’s done for the industry. It’s an honour to be recognised by my peers, and I’m really excited by it! It’s been a great evening, and this was a total surprise. Being recognised in the industry that I love, and have worked in now for over 45 years, is just a great honour.”</p><p><strong>Chris Aylett (Chief Executive Officer, MIA) said: </strong></p><p><strong> </strong>“Peter deserves all the praise he gets for winning this MIA Award, voted on by our members. His well-informed knowledge, huge experience and determination to bring success to Xtrac never wavered. So many, working in motorsport today, have benefited from his advice, occasional criticism, and support!”</p><p> </p><div><hr /></div><p><strong>Notes to Editors</strong><br /><strong><br />About the MIA</strong><br /><br />The Summer Reception at the House of Lords is The Motorsport Industry Association’s most prestigious annual event for its members, which has taken place for over 30 years. The 2025 Summer Reception was partnered by Bahrain International Circuit. </p><p>Founded in 1994, the MIA is the world's leading trade association for the motorsport, high performance engineering, services and tuning sectors. As an industry that is constantly having to deal with rapid development, it is the MIA’s role to globally represent and support the specialised needs of its members.</p><p>Motorsport Valley® is a registered trademark of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), owned by its members on behalf of the wider UK industry.<br /><br /><strong>For more information, please contact:</strong><br /><br />Matt Bishop, Managing Director, Diagonal Comms: <a href="mailto:matt.bishop@diagonalcomms.com ">matt.bishop@diagonalcomms.com </a><br /><br />Joe Downes, Business Director, Diagonal Comms: <a href="mailto:joe.downes@diagonalcomms.com">joe.downes@diagonalcomms.com</a><br /><br />George Brabner, Account Executive, Diagonal Comms:<br /><a href="mailto:george.brabner@diagonalcomms.com">george.brabner@diagonalcomms.com</a><br /></p><div> </div>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Alcon Components: Zenvo Aurora confirms Alcon as technical partner</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/704773/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/704773/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">MIA Member Alcon Components has shared the following news article.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/pit_boards/2025/1750752048952.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 225px;" /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 107%;"><strong>Zenvo Aurora confirms Alcon as technical partner</strong></span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;">The Zenvo Aurora hypercar will deliver uncompromised performance, through tactile and immersive feeling for the driver. Braking and stopping capability will be an integral element of this carefully developed engineering balance, and Aurora will utilise the latest in bespoke braking system technologies from newly confirmed technical partner, Alcon Components to bring the power of the highly efficient bespoke V12 drivetrain under control.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;">The newly developed system uses billet monobloc calipers, six-piston at the front, four-piston at the rear. These are mated with carbon fibre-reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC) brake discs, providing optimised braking performance and thermal capacity with no detrimental effect on brake pedal feel and feedback, even under extreme conditions. The materials used throughout the braking system are carefully selected and optimised to offer significant weight savings and ultimate performance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;">“<em>Delivering power is only one part of the challenge when engineering a true driver’s car. Controlling it, and making it usable on road and on track, is as important</em>,” explains Jon Gunner, Chief Technical Officer, Zenvo Automotive. “<em>For a no compromise project like Aurora, the braking system is critical. Driver engagement; being able to harness up to 1,850hp; providing feedback and feel with a hybridized powertrain – each element plays a part in how the Aurora performs. Alcon Components have proven themselves to be world-beaters when it comes to delivering systems which can cope at the most extreme levels, and their latest braking system is the perfect fit for the track-focused Agil model, and the more classically styled GT Tur model. Delivering relentless and fade free performance, when needed, each and every time.”</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;">Alcon has over 40 years of experience in engineering brakes and clutches for specialist vehicles; from Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship, prestige performance cars to 30T-plus military armoured vehicles. This positions Alcon at the forefront of developing and delivering high-performance braking solutions for sectors where only the absolute best can be accepted.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;">“<em>We’re thrilled to be chosen as the brake supplier for the Zenvo Aurora Tur and Agil models,”</em> added Steve Hodgkins, Chief Engineer Performance OEM at Alcon. “<em>Zenvo’s commitment to engineering excellence and pushing performance boundaries mirrors our own philosophy at Alcon. This collaboration has allowed us to develop a bespoke braking solution, leveraging our motorsport heritage and advanced technologies to meet the extreme demands of these hypercars. Together, we’ve created a system that delivers exceptional thermal capacity, consistent pedal feel, and uncompromising stopping power — fully aligned with Zenvo’s vision of ultimate driver engagement.”</em><br /><br />To find out more <a href="https://www.alcon.co.uk/zenvo-aurora-confirms-alcon-as-technical-partner/" target="_blank">click here.</a></span></p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2025 15:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>UKEF unveils new strategic financing for industrial growth</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/705005/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/705005/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<h1 class="gem-c-heading__text govuk-heading-l" style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 2.25rem; line-height: 1.11111; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20px; font-family: Arial;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/non-member_logos/gov_uk.png" style="width: 300px; height: 97px;" /></span></h1>
<h1 class="gem-c-heading__text govuk-heading-l" style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 2.25rem; line-height: 1.11111; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20px; font-family: Arial;">UKEF unveils new strategic financing for industrial growth</span></h1><p class="gem-c-heading__text govuk-heading-l" style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 2.25rem; line-height: 1.11111; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20px; font-family: Arial;"> </span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">Multi-billion-pound direct lending by UK Export Finance will help boost orders for British exporters across key industrial sectors, including defence</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Export credit agency to introduce new product to secure critical minerals supply and plans to legislate to increase its statutory commitment limit to support even more businesses</span></span>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">New measures announced as part of Industrial Strategy published yesterday</span></span>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Through its <a rel="external" href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fdirect-lending-scheme&data=05%7C02%7CJosh.Bloom%40ukexportfinance.gov.uk%7Cfb0f3b11dd224855757e08ddb27fee30%7C8084138e9400409ea6da46b5281e0b0a%7C0%7C0%7C638862984759798553%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xaNyBamwWMpv9H3z6jM1IWH2OolOAZnazGCk8xO9qFY%3D&reserved=0" class="govuk-link" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-underline-offset: 0.1578em; overflow-wrap: break-word; color: #1d70b8;">Direct Lending Facility</a>, UKEF – the government’s export credit agency – provides loans to overseas buyers, allowing them to finance the purchase of capital goods and services from UK suppliers.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Outlined in the <a rel="external" href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fcollections%2Fthe-uks-modern-industrial-strategy-2025&data=05%7C02%7CJosh.Bloom%40ukexportfinance.gov.uk%7Cfb0f3b11dd224855757e08ddb27fee30%7C8084138e9400409ea6da46b5281e0b0a%7C0%7C0%7C638862984759818033%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=1PvKD%2BgVDECo%2BCT0tARx%2BuKDOnygYcZaHjEdbjksQz0%3D&reserved=0" class="govuk-link" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-underline-offset: 0.1578em; overflow-wrap: break-word; color: #1d70b8;">Industrial Strategy</a>, UKEF now has greater flexibility of direct lending powers to support all eight Industrial Strategy sectors, from clean industries and life sciences to advanced manufacturing and defence.</span></span>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The £13 billion marks a £3 billion uplift in UKEF’s facility. Of this £13 billion, at least £3 billion will be used to stimulate defence exports, demonstrating the growing importance of this sector to economic and national security.</span></span>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Recent direct lending deals include a £18.8 million equivalent loan for an <a rel="external" href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fnews%2Fukef-puts-22-million-loan-behind-angolan-clean-water-project&data=05%7C02%7CJosh.Bloom%40ukexportfinance.gov.uk%7Cfb0f3b11dd224855757e08ddb27fee30%7C8084138e9400409ea6da46b5281e0b0a%7C0%7C0%7C638862984759834920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ptv4AO3JJ7EOnlNk1n8L%2FZdbruqXXOQBEyeYibFeAsw%3D&reserved=0" class="govuk-link" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-underline-offset: 0.1578em; overflow-wrap: break-word; color: #1d70b8;">Angolan clean water project</a> delivering up to approximately £6.8 million of supply contracts for British exporters, and a £23 million equivalent loan to Iraq’s Ministry of Interior to purchase 62 UK-made <a rel="external" href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fnews%2Fuk-fire-engines-chosen-to-modernise-iraq-fleet&data=05%7C02%7CJosh.Bloom%40ukexportfinance.gov.uk%7Cfb0f3b11dd224855757e08ddb27fee30%7C8084138e9400409ea6da46b5281e0b0a%7C0%7C0%7C638862984759850604%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ZEFFRthbzPvdrwAvPbww98cyW53wFE%2BfxnIlrkue5RQ%3D&reserved=0" class="govuk-link" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-underline-offset: 0.1578em; overflow-wrap: break-word; color: #1d70b8;">fire-fighting vehicles</a>.</span></span>
</p>
<h3 id="business-secretary-jonathan-reynolds-said" style="padding-top: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:</span></span>
</h3>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">UKEF plays an instrumental role in delivering our Industrial Strategy – providing the essential support that British businesses need to compete internationally. </span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">By unlocking export opportunities and supporting innovation across key sectors through mechanisms like direct lending, UKEF is helping to drive sustainable economic growth, create highly skilled jobs and strengthen Britain’s place as a go-to trading partner. </span></span>
</p>
<p class="last-child" style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Our commitment to backing British exporters forms a vital part of this government’s Plan for Change which will raise living standards in every part of UK.</span></span>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Following on from the announcement of UKEF’s <a rel="external" href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ukexportfinance.gov.uk%2Fproducts-and-services%2Fcritical-minerals-supply-finance%2F&data=05%7C02%7CJosh.Bloom%40ukexportfinance.gov.uk%7Cfb0f3b11dd224855757e08ddb27fee30%7C8084138e9400409ea6da46b5281e0b0a%7C0%7C0%7C638862984759868861%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Q54jbmYSah7d2wZbxTAJ6GxAGVyV6YML3sEzmv%2Bzu5Q%3D&reserved=0" class="govuk-link" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-underline-offset: 0.1578em; overflow-wrap: break-word; color: #1d70b8;">Critical Minerals Supply Finance</a> product in the Autumn Statement, the department is going further to secure industry access to critical minerals by launching a new loan guarantee scheme for UK-based suppliers that sell critical minerals, or products that contain critical minerals, to UK exporters. </span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">UKEF also plans to legislate to have its statutory commitment limit – the entire amount of support that the department can have on its books at any one time – increased which will enable it to support more businesses of all sizes across the UK. The department will review its operating mandate to consider taking on a broader trade and investment finance remit.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">To encourage growth at a local level, the department plans to expand its network of 24 local export finance managers to give focus on city regions and clusters where key sectors have a presence. Export finance managers provide free and impartial guidance to businesses on their export finance needs.</span></span>
</p>
<h3 id="uk-export-finance-ceo-tim-reid-added" style="padding-top: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">UK Export Finance CEO Tim Reid added:</span></span>
</h3>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">UKEF is well positioned to drive exports across high-impact industry sectors and create economic growth. We look forward to playing a key role in driving delivery of the Industrial Strategy, using our increased capacity and flexible product range.</span></span>
</p>
<p class="last-child" style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Backed by our comprehensive five-year business plan that will reach businesses of all sizes across every region and nation of the UK, we’re laying the extra foundations to enable thousands more British businesses to take their products and services to global markets.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The measures are announced ahead of UKEF’s 2024/25 annual report & accounts which will be published shortly. The results are expected to show it was a record-breaking year for the department.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">It will build on the results of the 2023/24 financial year in which UKEF provided over £8.8 billion of support to 650 businesses of all sizes and types, supported up to 41,000 jobs in communities around the whole UK and the contribution of up to £3.3 billion to the overall economy.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;">To find out more <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukef-unveils-new-strategic-financing-for-industrial-growth?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=7da89950-e544-420a-a115-176e09e0e881&utm_content=weekly" target="_blank">click here.</a></span></p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2025 12:04:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>New Report from Grant Thornton UK and the MIA reveals enormous growth in UK motorsport industry</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/704306/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/704306/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<span style="color: #000000; font-size: medium; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>24 June 2025</strong></span></span></span><span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"></span><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Grant Thornton UK in association with The Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), today launches the 2024 Review of UK Motorsport Valley<sup>®</sup>, revealing an industry at the cutting edge of high-performance engineering, delivering exceptional growth, global influence, and increasing international investment.</span></p><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">The Grant Thornton report builds on previous studies commissioned by the MIA in 2000 and 2013. It reveals that the UK motorsport and engineering services sector reached a sales turnover of £16billion in 2023 – increasing from £9billion in 2012 – and now employs 50,000 people.</span></p><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">The report’s other key findings include:</span></p><ul style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><li><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">89 per cent of UK motorsport businesses generate export revenue, with the USA as the top importer.<br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">93 per cent make international business decisions from within the UK, underlining the UK’s strategic role.<br /><br /></span></li></ul><ul style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><li><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">70 per cent of all Formula 1™ teams and the Formula One Group’s HQ are based in the UK’s Motorsport Valley.<br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Motorsport businesses spent 14 per cent of turnover on R&D, with 94 per cent </span><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">maintaining or increasing investment.</span></li></ul><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">The sector is closely aligned with the UK Government’s industrial strategy, particularly around skills and employment. The report highlights that 34 per cent of motorsport businesses employ apprentices and have a strong commitment to the recruitment and training of future talent.</span></p><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Meanwhile, 14 per cent have made acquisitions in the past three years, with 55 per cent of those investments made overseas, reflecting a sector expanding its global reach.</span></p><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Motorsport Valley, is more than a leading business cluster – it has become an international symbol of British engineering excellence. As the MIA and its members celebrate over 30 years of support for this dynamic sector, the 2024 Review underlines its strategic importance to the UK economy and its bright future.</span></p><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><strong>Chris Aylett (Chief Executive, MIA) said:</strong><br />“Following a decade of outstanding growth and global success, the UK’s Motorsport Valley high-performance engineering cluster is clearly set for a bright future. Increased exports, consistent R&D investment, the recruitment and retention of world-class talent, new corporate investors, and substantial exposure to an international audience are positioning the UK as the undisputed global hub for motorsport innovation. This is not just sport – this is a substantial industry with enormous impact across numerous sectors, including aerospace, defence, marine, and medical. </span></p><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">The motorsport industry has shown remarkable resilience and growth, it continues to be a world-leading example of a thriving business cluster and a jewel in the crown of UK advanced engineering. The enthusiasm of young people for the exciting engineering and technology challenges they enjoy in Formula One and in all forms of motorsport, will, if harnessed correctly, be a real asset to the UK’s future.”</span></p><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><strong>Owen Edwards (Head of Automotive, Business Consulting, Grant Thornton) said:</strong><br />“The UK motorsport industry continues to be a global benchmark for high-performance engineering, innovation, and resilience. Our latest report with the Motorsport Industry Association highlights not only the sector’s impressive £16 billion turnover and growing international footprint, but also its critical role in advancing technology, skills, and sustainability across multiple industries. Motorsport Valley is more than a geographic hub, it’s a symbol of British excellence, and we’re proud to support its continued growth and global leadership.”</span></p><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><strong style="text-align: center;">The full report is available to download at: <a href="https://the-mia.com/page/65NationalSurvey">https://the-mia.com/page/65NationalSurvey</a></strong></span></p><hr /><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><em style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Notes to editors:</em></p><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><strong>About the MIA</strong><br />Founded in 1994, The Motorsport Industry Association is the world's leading trade association for the motorsport, high performance engineering, services and tuning sectors. As an industry that is constantly having to deal with rapid development, it is the MIA’s role to globally represent and support the specialised needs of its members.<br />Motorsport Valley<sup>®</sup>, is a registered trademark of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), owned by its members on behalf of the wider UK industry.<br /><br /><strong>For media enquiries, please contact: </strong><br />Matt Bishop, Diagonal Communications (<a href="mailto:matt.bishop@diagonalcomms.com">matt.bishop@diagonalcomms.com</a>) <br />Joe Downes, Diagonal Communications (<a href="mailto:joe.downes@diagonalcomms.com">joe.downes@diagonalcomms.com</a>) </span></p><p style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><strong>For enquiries regarding the report, please contact:</strong><br />Alexander Martin, Assistant Business Development Manager, Grant Thornton UK (<a href="mailto:alexander.p.martin@uk.gt.com">alexander.p.martin@uk.gt.com</a>) </span></p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Fortescue recognised as a global leader in 'Real Zero' decarbonisation</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/704777/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/704777/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">MIA Member Fortescue Zero has shared the following press release.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 107%;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/member_logos/fortescue_zero.png" style="width: 300px; height: 92px;" /><br /><br /><strong>Fortescue recognised as a global leader in 'Real Zero' decarbonisation</strong><br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; line-height: 107%;">Fortescue has been named a global leader in its commitment to Real Zero in a newly released report by Climate Integrity and the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;">The report recognises Fortescue, alongside IKEA and Lendlease, for pioneering industry-leading climate strategies that phase out fossil fuels without reliance on carbon offsets.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;">As the world grapples with the realities of climate change – including last year’s breach of the 1.5˚C global temperature threshold – Fortescue is proving that rapid and meaningful action is not only possible but commercially smart.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;">Fortescue Metals CEO, Dino Otranto said: “<em>This recognition is a testament to the work we’re doing to prove that heavy industry can cut fossil fuels – not someday, but right now.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;"><em>“Fortescue, Lendlease and IKEA are showing that business can turn the tap off on fossil fuels as fast – or even faster – than the science says is necessary. There are new and better ways of operating, through lower cost, more efficient technologies. Fortescue is seizing these opportunities rather than foisting the problem on the next generation. The fossil fuel era is winding down and Fortescue intends to be at the forefront of what comes next.”</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;">Climate Integrity Director, Claire Snyder, said: <em>“The ambition displayed by Fortescue, IKEA and Lendlease is redefining what corporate climate leadership could and should look like both in Australia and around the world.</em></span></p><p><em><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;">“Our report shows that companies with market-leading decarbonisation strategies have shifted focus from ‘net zero’ to ‘real zero,’ and provides three case studies to show that not only is it possible – it is already happening and it’s good for business.”</span></em></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;">To achieve its Real Zero target, Fortescue is accelerating the development of 2-3GW of renewable energy and battery storage in the Pilbara, including a 190MW solar farm that is currently under construction at its Cloudbreak mine site.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Fortescue, IKEA and Lendlease are also exploring new cross-sector partnerships to share insights and advance climate solutions across industries and invite other companies to join them in creating a Real Zero nucleus to drive change in Australia and globally.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To find out more <a href="https://www.fortescue.com/en/articles/fortescue-recognised-as-a-global-leader-in-real-zero-decarbonisation" target="_blank">click here.</a></span></span></p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Industrial Strategy sets out Government’s ten-year plan </title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/705006/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/705006/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/non-member_logos/gov_uk.png" style="width: 300px; height: 97px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 22px; font-family: Arial;"><strong>Industrial Strategy sets out Government’s ten-year plan</strong></span></p>
<ul style="margin: 0px 0px 20px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; padding: 0px; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Electricity costs for thousands of businesses to be slashed by up to 25%.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">New Industrial Strategy to unlock billions in investment and support 1.1 million new well-paid jobs over the next decade.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Strategy developed in partnership with business, marking a new era of collaboration between government and high growth industries.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Strategy will make the UK the best country to invest in and grow a business, delivering on the Plan for Change.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">More than 7,000 British businesses are set to see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25% from 2027, as the Government unveils its bold new Industrial Strategy today [Monday 23 June].</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The modern Industrial Strategy sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment, create good skilled jobs and make Britain the best place to do business by tackling two of the biggest barriers facing UK industry - high electricity prices and long waits for grid connections.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">British manufacturers currently pay some of the highest electricity prices in the developed world while businesses looking to expand or modernise have faced delays when it comes to connecting to the grid.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For too long these challenges have held back growth and made it harder for British firms to compete. Today’s announcement marks a decisive shift — with government stepping in to support industry and unlock the UK’s economic potential.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">From 2027, the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour for over 7,000 electricity-intensive businesses in manufacturing sectors like automotive, aerospace and chemicals.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">These firms, which support over 300,000 skilled jobs, will be exempt from paying levies such as the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market — helping level the playing field and make them more internationally competitive. Eligibility and further details on the exemptions will be determined following consultation, which will be launched shortly.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The government is also increasing support for the most energy-intensive firms — like steel, chemicals, and glass — by covering more of the electricity network charges they normally have to pay through the British Industry Supercharger. These businesses currently get a 60% discount on those charges, but from 2026, that will increase to 90%. This means their electricity bills will go down, helping them stay competitive, protect jobs, and invest in the future.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This will help around 500 eligible businesses in sectors such as steel, ceramics and glass reduce their costs and protect jobs in industries that are the backbone of our economy and will be delivered at no additional cost to the taxpayer.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">These reforms complement the government’s long-term mission for clean power, which is the only way to bring down bills for good by ending the UK’s dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">To ensure businesses can grow and hire without delay, the government will also deliver a new Connections Accelerator Service to streamline grid access for major investment projects — including prioritising those that create high-quality jobs and deliver significant economic benefits.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We will work closely with the energy sector, local authorities, Welsh and Scottish Governments, trade unions, and industry to design this service, which we expect to begin operating at the end of 2025. New powers in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, currently before parliament, could also allow the Government to reserve grid capacity for strategically important projects, cutting waiting times and unlocking growth in key sectors.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Industrial Strategy is a 10-year plan to promote business investment and growth and make it quicker, easier and cheaper to do business in the UK, giving businesses the confidence to invest and create 1.1 million good, well-paid jobs in thriving industries – delivering on this government’s Plan for Change.</span></span>
</p>
<h3 id="prime-minister-keir-starmer-said" style="padding-top: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:</span></span>
</h3>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This Industrial Strategy marks a turning point for Britain’s economy and a clear break from the short-termism and sticking plasters of the past.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In an era of global economic instability, it delivers the long term certainty and direction British businesses need to invest, innovate and create good jobs that put more money in people’s pockets as part of the plan for change.</span></span>
</p>
<p class="last-child" style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This is how we power Britain’s future - by backing the sectors where we lead, removing the barriers that hold us back, and setting out a clear path to build a stronger economy that works for working people. Our message is clear - Britain is back and open for business.</span></span>
</p>
<h3 id="chancellor-of-the-exchequer-rachel-reeves-said" style="padding-top: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:</span></span>
</h3>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> The UK has some of the most innovative businesses in the world and our Plan for Change has provided them with the stability they need to grow and for more to be created.</span></span>
</p>
<p class="last-child" style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Today’s Industrial Strategy builds on that progress with a ten-year plan to slash barriers to investment. It’ll see billions of pounds for investment and cutting-edge tech, ease energy costs, and upskill the nation. It will ensure the industries that make Britain great can thrive. It will boost our economy and create jobs that put more money in people’s pockets.</span></span>
</p>
<h3 id="business-and-trade-secretary-jonathan-reynoldssaid" style="padding-top: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:</span></span>
</h3>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We’ve said from day one Britain is back in business under this government, and the £100 billion of investment we’ve secured in the past year shows our Plan for Change is already delivering for working people.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Our Modern Industrial Strategy will ensure the UK is the best country to invest and do business, delivering economic growth that puts more money in people’s pockets and pays for our NHS, schools and military.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Not only does this Strategy prioritise investment to attract billions for new business sites, cutting-edge research, and better transport links, it will also make our industrial electricity prices more competitive.</span></span>
</p>
<p class="last-child" style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Tackling energy costs and fixing skills has been the single biggest ask of us from businesses and the greatest challenge they’ve faced – this government has listened, and now we’re taking the bold action needed. Government and business working hand in hand to make working people better of is what this Government promised and what we will deliver.</span></span>
</p>
<h3 id="energy-secretary-ed-miliband-said" style="padding-top: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: </span></span>
</h3>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For too long high electricity costs have held back British businesses, as a result of our reliance on gas sold on volatile international markets.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As part of our modern industrial strategy we’re unlocking the potential of British industry by slashing industrial electricity prices in key sectors.</span></span>
</p>
<p class="last-child" style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; position: relative;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We’re also doubling down on our clean power strengths with increased investment in growth industries from offshore wind to nuclear. This will deliver on our clean power mission and Plan for Change to bring down bills for households and businesses for good.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Supercharger and British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will be funded through reforms to the energy system. The government is reducing costs within the system to free up funding without raising household bills or taxes and intends to also use additional funds from the strengthening of UK carbon pricing, including as a result of linking with the EU carbon market.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We have set out an intention to link emissions trading systems, as part of our new agreement with the European Union to support British businesses. Without an agreement to do this, British industry would have to pay the EU’s carbon tax.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We intend to link our carbon pricing system with the EU’s, we will ensure that money stays in the UK—which allows us to support British companies and British jobs through these schemes.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Building on the Spending Review and the recently announced 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, the Industrial Strategy is the latest step forward in our plans to deliver national renewal. It will include targeted support for the areas of the country and economy that have the greatest potential to grow, while introducing reforms that will make it easier for all businesses to get ahead.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Strategy’s bold plan of action includes:</span></span>
</p>
<ul style="margin: 0px 0px 20px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; padding: 0px; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Slash electricity costs by up to 25% from 2027 for electricity-intensive manufacturers in our growth sectors and foundational industries in their supply chain, bringing costs more closely in line with other major economies in Europe.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Unlocking billions in finance for innovative business, especially for SMEs by increasing British Business Bank financial capacity to £25.6 billion, crowding in tens of billions of pounds more in private capital. The includes an additional £4bn for Industrial Strategy Sectors, crowding in billions more in private capital. By investing largely through venture funds, the BBB will back the UK’s most high-growth potential companies.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Upskilling the nation with an extra £1.2 billion each year for skills by 2028-29, and delivering more opportunities to learn and earn in our high-growth sectors including new short courses in relevant skills funded by the Growth and Skills Levy and skills packages targeted at defence digital and engineering.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Reducing regulatory burdens by cutting the administrative costs of regulation for business by 25% and reduce the number of regulators. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Supporting 5,500 more SMEs to adopt new technology through the Made Smarter programme while centralising government support in one place through the Business Growth Service.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Boosting R&D spending to £22.6bn per year by 2029-30 to drive innovation across the IS-8, with more than £2bn for AI over the Spending Review, and £2.8bn for advanced manufacturing over the next ten years. This will leverage in billions more from private investors. Regulatory changes will further clear the path for fast-growing industries and innovative products such as biotechnology, AI, and autonomous vehicles.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Attracting elite global talent to our key sectors, via visa and migration reforms and the new Global Talent Taskforce.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Deepening economic and industrial collaboration with our partners, building on our Industrial Strategy Partnership with Japan and recent deals with the US, India, and the EU.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Reducing planning timelines and cutting costs for developers, by hiring more planners, streamlining pre-application requirements and combining environmental obligations, removing burdens on businesses as well as accelerating house building. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Revolutionising public procurement and reducing barriers for new entrants and SMEs to bolster domestic competitiveness.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Supporting the UK’s city regions and clusters by increasing the supply of investible sites through a new £600m Strategic Sites Accelerator, enhanced regional support from the Office for Investment, National Wealth Fund, and British Business Bank, and more.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The plan focuses on 8 sectors where the UK is already strong and there’s potential for faster growth: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional and Business Services. Each growth sector has a bespoke 10-year plan that will attract investment, enable growth and create high-quality, well-paid jobs.</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Five sector plans have been published today:</span></span>
</p>
<ul style="margin: 0px 0px 20px 20px; font-family: 'GDS Transport', arial, sans-serif; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 1.1875rem; line-height: 1.31579; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; padding: 0px; color: #0b0c0c; background-color: #ffffff;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Advanced Manufacturing - Backing our Advanced Manufacturing sector with up to £4.3 billion in funding, including up to £2.8 billion in R&D over the next five years, with the aim of anchoring supply chains in the UK - from increasing vehicle production to 1.35 million, to leading the next generation of technologies for zero emission flight.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Clean Energy Industries - Doubling investment in Clean Energy Industries by 2035, with Great British Energy helping to build the clean power revolution in Britain with a further £700 million in clean energy supply chains, taking the total funding for the Great British Energy Supply Chain fund to £1 billion.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Creative Industries - Maximizing the value of our Creative Industries through a £380 million boost for film and TV, video games, advertising and marketing, music and visual and performing arts will improve access to finance for scale-ups and increase R&D, skills and exports.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Digital and Technologies - Making the UK the European leader for creating and scaling Digital and Technology businesses, with more than £2 billion to drive the AI Action Plan, including a new Sovereign AI Programme, £187 million for training one million young people in tech skills and targeting R&D investment at frontier technologies such as cyber security in Northern Ireland, semiconductors in Wales and quantum technologies in Scotland. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">Professional and Business Services - Ensuring our Professional and Business Services becomes the world’s most trusted adviser to global industry, revolutionising the sector across the world through adoption of UK-grown AI and working to secure mutual recognition of professional qualifications agreements overseas. </span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"></span>To find out more <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/powering-britains-future-electricity-bills-to-be-slashed-for-over-7000-businesses-in-major-industry-shake-up" target="_blank">click here.</a></span><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/powering-britains-future-electricity-bills-to-be-slashed-for-over-7000-businesses-in-major-industry-shake-up" target="_blank"></a></span>
</p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jun 2025 12:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>AF Corse team take Ferrari into the history books at Le Mans</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/703599/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/703599/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 20px;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/non-member_logos/non-member_logos_2/lemans.png" /></strong></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 20px;"><strong>AF Corse team take Ferrari into the history books at Le Mans</strong></span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">The #83 AF Corse team led by Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye and Philip Hanson have fended off the pressure of the factory Ferrari AF Corse cars and seven other manufacturers to win the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the process have become the first customer team to win the legendary endurance race in 20 years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">The 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has come to an end. A thrilling contest with amazing on-track duels, tactical and strategic battles on the pit wall, with thousands around the circuit and millions at home watching history in the making as Ferrari took a hat-trick of wins at Le Mans - repeating the success they achieved 60 years ago in 1965.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><strong>Hypercar</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">The #83 AF Corse - bright yellow Ferrari 499P has shone brightly in multiple sessions throughout Le Mans week, but they did it when it mattered the most - on race day. Moving into the fight within the first few hours, the customer Ferrari team had to take on the might of the finest from Maranello and Porsche - going toe-to-toe twice around the clock.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">While drama hit the rapid #51 car, the #83 stayed out of trouble to become the first customer team since Champion Racing in 2005 to take the biggest prize in sports car racing. Robert Kubica drove the car home to the delight of the passionate crowd, and as he took the chequered flag, the history didn’t stop with AF Corse and Ferrari. Kubica became the first Pole to ever win Le Mans outright. Teammate Yifei Ye became the first driver from China to win the great race, while British driver Philip Hanson in only his second drive in a Hypercar at Le Mans added another win for the British, now taking Great Britain to 46 wins over the last 93 years - the most successful country by driver wins.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Porsche Penske Motorsport were the only outfit to get close to the prancing horses and kept on the coattails all race long, which kept them in with a shout should a mistake come about. That came when the #51 parked itself in the gravel, and a superb job by Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor and in particular Matt Campbell, who triple-stinted the tyres towards the end of the race, which gave Estre a chance of second place. Driving his heart out - the Frenchman brought the car home just 14 seconds behind the leader after 5,361 miles.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">2023 winners - the #51 Ferrari AF Corse team had a disaster of a final four hours with a spin coming into the pitlane for Alessandro Pier Guidi dropping them out the lead before Antonio Giovinazzi radioed the team with 45 minutes left on the clock - trying to get to the bottom of a problem with the car. The message from the team - keep driving, keep pushing and destroy the tyres if you need to. This bold call paid off as they were able to fight and pass the sister #50 car to take the final spot on the podium.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Cadillac had high hopes coming into Le Mans this year, and the #12 Hertz Team JOTA effort managed pole position on Thursday evening, but couldn’t convert that single lap raw speed into efficient longer runs with the V8 car struggling to maximise the life of the tyres as well as getting them up to temperature quickly. With cooler conditions in the second half of the race - the golden Cadillac fought hard and smart and finished the race a credible fifth.</span></p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> Recent legends - Toyota Gazoo Racing last won this event in 2022 and will have another year to wait until another trophy can be taken back to Japan. The GR010 - Hybrid was a long shot for the win, but that effort got a little more serious overnight when the #8 managed its fuel load and tyres to perfection to drag them into podium contention as the sun rose this morning. Disaster struck the team in black however, as less than four hours on the clock saw a wheel nut shear off on the front left. With a puncture as well, the car limped back to the pits, stayed in the garage for repairs and 17 minutes later was out again and raced to finish in a lowly 16th.<br /><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><strong>LMP2</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Having won the 2023 LMP2 class, the yellow and green Inter Europol Competition team were back on the top step in France. The #43 ORECA was embroiled in a titanic tussle with VDS Panis Racing in their number #48 version from yesterday evening when the pole sitter, the #29 TDS Racing outfit were to fall by the wayside early on in the race. The Polish #43 team picked up the baton, an honour they grabbed with both hands, but they weren't going to have it all their own way - as drivers Jakub Smiechowski, Tom Dillmann and Nick Yelloly had to fight for it as they were locked into a battle with the #48 throughout the night and into Sunday morning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">To try and get ahead, Panis Racing undercut the Inter Europol Competition squad and in the process were able to slash the deficit with each stint. There was only a handful of seconds between them until drama struck, with 32 minutes left on the clock. The #43 driven by Nick Yelloly was caught speeding in the pit lane and received a drive-through penalty. Yelloly, despite the drive-through, sensed an opportunity with a poor lap from Panis Racing - the British driver passed the #48 with 15 minutes left on the clock and raced to the flag given the Polish fans even more to cheer about!</span></p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> The #9 Iron Lynx outfit were fighting tooth and nail with the #28 IDEC Sport car until 3 hours and 30 minutes were left on the clock, when the right rear wheel nut sheared off the back of the #28 ORECA, and helpless Job Van Uitert was a passenger, as the car went straight into the gravel trap at Chapelle corner on the descent from the Dunlop Bridge. Heartbreak for the whole team - so near, yet so far. The #9 Iron Lynx struggled on Sunday afternoon and were tactically passed by the #199 AO by TF car affectionately known as Spike. Not only did the crew in the purple car stand on the outright LMP2 podium - they also won the LMP2 Pro/AM category following a stellar job by PJ Hyett, Dane Cameron and Louis Deletraz throughout the 24 hours.<br /><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><strong>LMGT3</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">The #92 Manthey 1ST Phorm Porsche was the car to beat for the majority of the race in thr GT category. Superlatives are not enough to describe their dominance, as they held the lead of the class to the very end - with drivers Ryan Hardwick, Riccardo Pera and Richard Lietz etching their names into the history books.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">In second, the #21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 LMGT3 had a quiet yet effective race - steering clear of trouble, and keeping their heads down. They couldn’t quite match their FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 class win last time out at Spa - but second here will help them in the championship chase. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">#81 TF Sport with their yellow Corvette turned on the afterburners this afternoon to wrestle back the final podium spot from the #27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin, a battle they enjoyed all morning long. Meawhile, the dominant #87 Akoddis ASP Lexus - the team and car that topped many of the sessions during the week will be pleased with fifth despite all their race dramas, but at the same time there will be some head scratching to do regarding the one that maybe got away!</span></p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> Elsewhere, just ahead of the final hour mark, the sole remaining #59 United Autosports McLaren came to a grinding halt - almost a carbon copy of the issue the sister car faced last night. This time, the electric orange GT car stopped between Aranage and the Porsche Curves, bringing out a Full Course Yellow to recover the 720S safely.<br /><br />To find out more <a href="https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/af-corse-team-take-ferrari-into-the-history-books-at-le-mans-59792" target="_blank">click here.</a></span>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2025 11:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>MIA Member JOTA Group: Cadillac Powers to First 24 Hours of Le Mans Pole</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/703498/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/703498/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/member_logos/jota.png" style="width: 300px; height: 98px;" /></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">Cadillac Powers to First 24 Hours of Le Mans Pole</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Cadillac Racing has sought to present a unified front across its four cars from three teams and two championships – both the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Their pace from all four cars was on display in qualifying for the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the manufacturer’s new FIA WEC entrant, Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA, sweeping the front row of the grid.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">By just 0.167 of a second around the 8.467-mile Circuit de la Sarthe, Alex Lynn beat teammate Earl Bamber to pole. Driving the No. 12 JOTA Cadillac, Lynn set a best time of 3 minutes, 23.166 seconds in the Hyperpole 2 session that showcased the top 10 Hypercar class runners.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Bamber’s best lap was 3 minutes, 23.333 seconds in the No. 38 JOTA Cadillac. He shifts over from his IMSA team, Cadillac Whelen, to JOTA this race. Jack Aitken, Bamber’s IMSA teammate in the No. 311 Cadillac Whelen entry, set the fastest qualifying time in Hyperpole 1 (3 minutes, 22.742 seconds) which determined the 10 cars that advanced to the final qualifying shootout.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Lynn will share his No. 12 JOTA Cadillac with Will Stevens and Norman Nato, while Bamber will share his No. 38 JOTA Cadillac with another IMSA full-timer, Sebastien Bourdais, and 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">“I think every time you have the opportunity to drive this kind of car around Le Mans on low fuel and new tires is an honor,” Lynn said. “Truly honored to be able to put in a performance and deliver this for Cadillac how they deserve, in the first position. It’s such a magical circuit, a place I love to perform my best. Now just 24 hours left, what else? We’ll enjoy this tonight and reset.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">The pole is the first for Cadillac at Le Mans, coming 75 years after its first Le Mans appearance in 1950 with a pair of Cadillac Coupe DeVille Series 61s, one mostly stock and another modified with a low-profile aluminum body nicknamed “Le Monstre.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Porsche Penske Motorsport placed well within the Hyperpole 2 session. IMSA regular Mathieu Jaminet qualified the No. 5 Porsche 963 he shares with Michael Christensen and Julien Andlauer in third. In pursuit of the unprecedented single-season endurance “Triple Crown,” Nick Tandy and Felipe Nasr will roll off fifth in the No. 4 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963 they share with Pascal Wehrlein.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">They sandwiched four-time 2025 IMSA Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) polesitter Dries Vanthoor in his No. 15 BMW M Team WRT BMW M Hybrid V8 in fourth; the younger Vanthoor brother shares his car with Kevin Magnussen and Raffaele Marciello.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Aitken’s co-driver Felipe Drugovich qualified the No. 311 Cadillac Whelen entry in eighth. Both that car and the sister No. 101 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing entry, which qualified 14th for its Le Mans debut, will feature a special decal at Le Mans supporting the Michael J. Fox Foundation in the race to a cure for Parkinson’s disease.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Pre-race favorites Ferrari and Toyota struggled in qualifying, with the best Ferrari in sixth and the best Toyota in 10th. Ferrari seeks its third straight overall Le Mans win while Toyota, which won five Le Mans consecutively from 2018 to 2022, seeks to add its sixth.</span></p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> To find out more </span><a href="https://www.imsa.com/news/2025/06/12/cadillac-powers-to-first-24-hours-of-le-mans-pole/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">click here.</span><br /></a><br />]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2025 11:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Malcolm Wilson OBE Appointed Deputy President For Sport At FIA Annual Conference In Macau</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/703706/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/703706/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 25px; margin-bottom: 25px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Futura PT Medium'; font-weight: normal; color: #002d5f; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; line-height: 1.2; font-size: 2.42857rem; outline: none; text-transform: uppercase; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/non-member_logos/fia_logo.jpg" /><br /><strong><span style="color: #000000;">Malcolm Wilson Obe Appointed Deputy President For Sport At FIA Annual Conference In Macau</span></strong></span></span></h2><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Myriad Pro Regular', Arial; font-size: 1.14286rem; line-height: 1.5; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; outline: none; color: #003063; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Malcolm Wilson is a long-serving Council member of the MIA. He brings a lifetime of success in international motorsport and exceptional experience in the industry to our Association</span>. <br /></span><br />Following nomination of Mr Wilson by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem in April 2025, the appointment was voted through today by FIA Member Clubs at the Extraordinary General Assemblies in Macau. An overwhelming majority of voters were in favour of electing Mr Wilson into the position. </span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Myriad Pro Regular', Arial; font-size: 1.14286rem; line-height: 1.5; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; outline: none; color: #003063; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Malcolm Wilson OBE is a leading figure in British motor sport. He is the Managing Director of M-Sport Ltd which has operated Ford’s World Rally programme since 1997. Prior to forming M-Sport, Mr Wilson was a highly successful rally driver, having won the British Rally in 1994. He is also an Honorary Member of the British Racing Drivers Club. In 2009, Mr Wilson was awarded an OBE for services to motor sport in the Queen’s birthday honours list.</span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Myriad Pro Regular', Arial; font-size: 1.14286rem; line-height: 1.5; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; outline: none; color: #003063; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Under Mr Wilson’s leadership M-Sport has had considerable success including winning the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers in 2006 and 2007. In 2017 they won the Manufacturers’ crown for a third time, and back-to-back Driver and Co-driver Championships in 2017 and 2018. Mr Wilson also worked as technical partners for Bentley Motors leading the design and development of the Continental GT3 race car and in electric motor sport for Jaguar in the I‑PACE eTROPHY.</span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Myriad Pro Regular', Arial; font-size: 1.14286rem; line-height: 1.5; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; outline: none; color: #003063; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Deputy President for Sport is one of the most senior elected roles at the FIA serving on the World Motor Sport Council and has a wide range of responsibilities including developing global motor sport policies in collaboration with FIA Commissions and national sporting authorities and promoting safety, sustainability and innovation within the sport. </span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Myriad Pro Regular', Arial; font-size: 1.14286rem; line-height: 1.5; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; outline: none; color: #003063; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; outline: none;">FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; outline: none;">“The role of Deputy President for Sport is absolutely integral to our organisation, and one that Malcolm Wilson brings a wealth of experience to. Having competed for over 40 years at the highest level, both as a driver and technical partner to teams, his expertise will be invaluable to the FIA and our Member Organisations. I am delighted to welcome Malcolm to the Federation and look forward to working with him to grow motorsport at every level.” </em></span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; font-family: 'Myriad Pro Regular', Arial; font-size: 1.14286rem; line-height: 1.5; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; outline: none; color: #003063; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; outline: none; font-size: 14px; color: #000000;">Malcom Wilson OBE said:</span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; outline: none;"> “I am delighted to take on the role as FIA Deputy President for Sport. As the Federation pushes forward with its mission to advance motorsport and develop grassroots initiatives, I look forward to playing a part in helping to shape the future of the sport we love and working with the President to continue growing and strengthening our championships.”<br />To find out more <a href="https://www.fia.com/news/malcolm-wilson-obe-appointed-deputy-president-sport-fia-annual-conference-macau" target="_blank">click here.</a></em></span></span></span></p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2025 10:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Paragon Rapid Technologies - Carbon Open Day</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/703262/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/703262/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Arial;">MIA Member Paragon Rapid Technologies has shared the following event announcement.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/member_logos/members/paragon_logo_light_.png" style="width: 400px; height: 70px;" /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-size: 20px;">Paragon Rapid Technologies - Carbon Open Day</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">On <b>Thursday 3rd July</b>, Paragon Rapid Technologies will be opening the doors to their Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) facility for an exclusive event in partnership with Carbon. The day will feature live demonstrations, technical presentations, and an exclusive launch of Carbon’s newest Pro and Pro-90 materials — offering guests a first-hand look at the latest innovation in additive manufacturing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">The event will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and is completely free to attend. After the main session, guests will also have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the wider Paragon Rapid Technologies facility, enjoy refreshments, and network with fellow industry professionals.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">Paragon Rapid Technologies currently support a broad range of clients across the automotive sector — from prestige niche vehicle manufacturers to motorsport and F1 teams — utilising Carbon's DLS technology for both prototyping and production applications. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial;">To register for the event <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbB3pUDhgbB2vs3PDpYuADiCp5k8dRSvrd2FcvYZn-cj2Uaw/viewform" target="_blank">click here.</a></span></p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Hydrogen Day – The Full Value Chain in One Place </title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/703264/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/703264/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>MIA Member AVL has shared the following press release. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/news/2025/hydrogen.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 360px;" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; color: black;"><strong>Hydrogen Day – The Full Value Chain in One Place</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: black;">Join the <span style="text-align: center; color: #000000;">Hydrogen Day on</span> July 16th at WMG / University of Warwick for a powerful deep dive into hydrogen’s role in the clean energy transition. Hosted by AVL and APRL, this event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to explore every link in the hydrogen value chain—from production and storage to distribution, infrastructure, and mobility.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: black;">Expect big ideas, cutting-edge technology, and inspiring discussions on policy, innovation, efficiency, and real-world applications. Whether you're interested in fuel cells, hydrogen ICE, urban infrastructure, or advanced testing methodologies, this event delivers high-impact insights and hands-on learning. Plus, exclusive APRL tours offer a rare behind-the-scenes look.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: black;">Let’s connect, debate, and decarbonize—because the future of clean energy is here, and hydrogen is leading the way.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: black;">Don’t miss out!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: black;">For more details, visit <a href="https://www.avl.com/en-gb/events/avl-hydrogen-tech-day">https://www.avl.com/en-gb/events/avl-hydrogen-tech-day</a></span></p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2025 11:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Silverstone Park: Successful launch for new Women’s Innovation Network</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/703259/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/703259/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;">MIA Member Silverstone Park has shared the following news article.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/member_logos/silverstone_park_logo_small.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 78px;" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px;"><i><span style="color: #19131f;"><strong>Silverstone Park Launches Women's Innovation Network </strong></span></i><br
/></span>
</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Silverstone Park continues to lead industry innovation with the successful launch of our Women's Innovation Network – addressing the engineering sector's greatest challenge.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Silverstone Park is</span> proud to announce the successful launch of Silverstone Park's Women's Innovation Network (WIN) on 3rd June
– a strategic initiative positioning our community at the forefront of solving critical talent and leadership challenges across technology, engineering and innovation sectors.</span>
</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">The business case is clear: companies with gender-diverse leadership teams are 25% more likely to experience above-average profitability. Yet with women comprising just 16.5% of the workforce in these sectors, the opportunity for competitive advantage remains vast.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">Watch the full launch event: <a href="https://silverstone-park.com/collaborate/womens-innovation-network/?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--iQDM-8T6hscM5cHAdDW7_v9Yt1k2NqPtHfbV28DnJfVGK47iZGjqomtjqVMb6p4EwSC7AWbUbAQLMRFhdGXU7RfvDUQ&_hsmi=365919105&utm_content=365919105&utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank">Here</a></span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">WIN represents sustainable business growth through diversity, innovation and leadership development. The launch event brought together industry leaders and change-makers, highlighting how Silverstone Park companies actively address real-world challenges that impact performance.</span> </p>
<p><span style="line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">"<em>WIN isn't just about networking – it's about creating pathways for women to reach senior positions where they can shape the future of innovation</em>," said Chantal-Lawren Welch, Marketing Manager at Silverstone Park.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 107%; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">For businesses considering Silverstone Park, WIN showcases the unique value proposition: world-class facilities combined with active support for your competitive advantage through talent development and leadership diversity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 107%;">Join a business community that's building the future.</span></p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Helix appoints Graham Belgum as Chief Executive Officer</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/703257/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/703257/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>MIA Member Helix has shared the following press release.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/news/2025/helix_-_bio_shoot_060625_578.jpg" style="width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial; color: black;">Helix appoints Graham Belgum as Chief Executive Officer<br /></span></b></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span>Graham Belgum joins Helix as CEO, succeeding co-founder Darren Cairns who will continue in a senior advisory role</span></b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span>Belgum brings extensive experience in electrification, including leadership roles at Fortescue Zero, First Group, and Hinduja Group</span></b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span>Appointment effective from 2 June 2025</span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial;"> </span></b></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #000000;">Milton Keynes, UK, [09.06.2025] – <span>Helix (a trading name of Integral Powertrain Ltd), the UK manufacturer of the world’s most power-dense electric motors and inverters, has appointed Graham Belgum as CEO to lead the business as it enters the next phase of its global expansion.</span> </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;">Belgum is a chartered engineer and brings an extraordinary wealth of experience to Helix, with a particular focus on bringing new electric vehicles to market.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;">He joins the company after three years at Fortescue Zero (formerly Williams Advanced Engineering), where he served as General Manager for Heavy Industry, responsible for the creation of a new capability to develop and industrialise modular battery power systems for off-road applications, including mining.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;">Prior to this, Belgum was President and then CEO of Optare, where he led their electrification program and laid the foundation for its rebrand to Switch Mobility. Preceding this, he served in senior leadership roles at Condor Ferries and First Group UK. Before entering the private sector, Belgum served in the British Army, where he was overall engineering manager for the Challenger Main Battle Tank fleet.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Outgoing CEO and company co-founder, Darren Cairns, is stepping down 27 years after co-founding the business. He will remain an active part of Helix, working in an advisory role alongside Belgum.</span> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="normaltextrun" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;"><b><span style="background: white;">Graham Belgum, Chief Executive Officer at Helix, said</span></b></span><span class="normaltextrun" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;"><span style="background: white;">: “<i>I’m thrilled to be joining Helix at this truly exciting time. With its exceptional offering of innovative electric propulsion and control solutions across a wide range of sectors – including automotive, aerospace, marine and defence – the company is perfectly placed as we accelerate our growth across the globe. I also want to pay tribute to Darren, whose hard work and dedication over the past three decades has helped cement Helix’s status as a pioneer and market leader.”</i></span></span><span class="eop" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;"><span style="background: white;"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;"> <span class="normaltextrun"><b><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Darren Cairns, Outgoing Chief Executive Officer at Helix, added</span></b><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">: “<i>As one of Helix’s founders, this company has been an integral part of my professional life, and I’m incredibly proud of the success we've achieved together. However, I’m certain Graham is the right person </i></span></span></span><span class="normaltextrun" style="text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;"><i><span style="background: white;">to lead this business and know that Helix will continue to thrive under his leadership. This is an exciting new era for Helix and I am extremely positive about what lies ahead.”</span></i></span><span class="eop" style="text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;"><span style="background: white;"></span></span></p><p style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;">Already this year, Helix has made several key senior management appointments, including Warren Roberts as Chief Operating Officer and Dr. Mike Bolen as the company’s Sales Director for North America. </span><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;"></span></p><p style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;">Helix’s global headquarters and state-of-the-art production facility are based in Milton Keynes, UK. The company is a leading supplier of high-performance electric powertrains, including fully scalable high-power-density electric motors, inverters, and electric drive units, engineered and manufactured in-house.</span><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;"></span></p><p style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;">Its technologies have already been applied in several high-growth electric mobility markets, including top-level motorsport in Formula E; within hypercars and supercars such as the Czinger 21c an Aston Martin Valkyrie; vertical take-off and landing aircraft; space launch providers; high-performance motorcycles; and watercraft with Seabird technologies in the E1 Race Series, and the MAGIC CARPET-e high-performance sailing yacht.</span></p><p style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000;">To find out more <a href="https://www.ehelix.com/communication/helix-appoints-graham-belgum-as-chief-executive-officer/" target="_blank">click here.</a></span><span style="color: black;"></span></p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 9 Jun 2025 10:13:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>GOV.UK: Transformative £86 billion boost to science and tech to turbocharge economy</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/703898/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/703898/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 20px; font-family: Arial; line-height: 107%;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/non-member_logos/gov_uk.png" style="width: 300px; height: 97px;" /><br />Transformative £86 billion boost to science and tech to turbocharge economy, with regions backed to take cutting-edge research into own hands</strong></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">£86 billion to fund everything from new drug treatments and longer lasting batteries to new AI breakthroughs to generate billions for the UK economy and drive our Plan for Change</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">includes up to £500 million for regions across the UK, with local leaders part of decision making</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">announcement comes ahead of next week’s Spending Review, where the Chancellor will make clear that investing in Britain’s renewal will deliver change for working people and their communities</span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce a transformative £86 billion in the Spending Review to turbo-charge our fastest growing sectors, from tech and life sciences, to advanced manufacturing and defence, as part of the government’s plan to invest in Britain’s renewal through our Modern Industrial Strategy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">Britain will boost its world-leading status in research and innovation with a bumper funding package worth more than £22.5 billion a year in 2029/2030. From exploring new drug treatments and longer lasting batteries, to new AI breakthroughs, the package will drive new jobs and economic growth as well as ensuring the UK leads the way in pioneering the technologies of the future.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">It comes ahead of the Spending Review, where the Chancellor will set out how the government will invest in Britain’s renewal by investing in the people’s priorities: health, security and the economy. The Chancellor will outline this government’s laser focus on investing in Britain’s renewal through projects that will bring jobs and prosperity, putting more money in working people’s pockets.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">The new R&D package will mean local leaders have government backing to develop ‘innovation clusters’ across the country, to unlock the talent and opportunity in every region and nation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">It is those with skin in the game who know what is best for their region. That’s why, through the new Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, local leaders will be given the powers to decide how to target their research investment in the region and make the most of skill sets of the community, boosting high skilled jobs and igniting growth across the country, the core mission of the government’s Plan for Change.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">The package will see every corner of the country benefit. In Liverpool, that means leveraging its expertise in life sciences to accelerate drug discovery, in Northern Ireland that means harnessing its reputation for cutting edge defence equipment to shore up our national security. And in South Wales, it means boosting expertise in designing cutting edge semiconductors that power the devices like mobile phones and electric cars we rely on every day to support growth and new jobs in those regions.<span> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">The new funding will build on work already underway to transform local communities through the Innovation Accelerator pilot scheme – a new funding approach and partnership between local authorities and government. It has supported new technology developed by the Greater Manchester advanced diagnostic accelerator, delivering quicker and cheaper detection for liver, heart and lung diseases, whilst Moonbility from the West Midlands is using AI software helping train companies to simulate, in real time, potential disruption to the network so they can alert passengers on delay length, giving advice on replanning journeys.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">This government is making investments in Britain’s future that will deliver dividends for decades to come. Every £1 invested in R&D generates up to £7 in benefits to the UK economy and leverages double in private investment in the long run, with businesses that receive their first R&D grant funding seeing jobs and turnover go up by over 20% in the following years – providing a major boost to the UK economy. R&D is also at the heart of around 3 million jobs in the UK, with the power to create many more as discoveries advance.<span> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">The announcement comes ahead of London Tech Week, the UK’s flagship technology festival, with more expected in the coming days, as this government doubles down on plans to ensure the UK is once again open for business and setting the conditions for a decade of national renewal and the economic growth that is at the heart of our Plan for Change.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:<span> </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;"><em>Britain is the home of science and technology. Through the Plan for Change, we are investing in Britain’s renewal to create jobs, protect our security against foreign threats and make working families better off.</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;"><em>R&D is the very foundation of the breakthroughs that make our lives easier and healthier – from new medicines enabling us to live longer, more fulfilled lives to developments in AI giving us time back, from easing our train journeys through to creating the technology we need to protect our planet from climate change.</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;"><em>Incredible and ambitious research goes on in every corner of our country, from Liverpool to Inverness, Swansea to Belfast, which is why empowering regions to harness local expertise and skills for all of our benefit is at the heart of this new funding – helping to deliver the economic growth at the centre of our Plan for Change.</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">Alongside this, nearly £5 million is being invested to kickstart a new partnership between the high-growth regions of Manchester and Cambridge, strengthening the link between these hubs of innovation to attract more business investment, and pilot new approaches to collaboration, setting examples for cities, universities and governments worldwide.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;"><em>This is exactly how we turn our potential into progress. This investment backs regions to lead the way in the industries that will define the future.</em></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">From life sciences and advanced manufacturing to clean energy and AI, regions across the UK have the skills and the ideas - they just need the investment and the power to match.</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;"><em>This will drive innovation that not only grows the economy but creates jobs, builds opportunity, improves health and changes lives.</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;">North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;"><em>Our region is already an advanced manufacturing powerhouse and this announcement boosts my mission to create new growth, new jobs and new opportunities in 2 exciting ways.</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji'; line-height: 107%;"><em>We will now be able to support more research and development projects in established sectors, like the car industry and green energy, which are cornerstones of the North East economy, and we can also invest in new technologies from kitchen table innovations to our fast-emerging trailblazers in the space industry and AI.</em><br /><br />To find out more <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transformative-86-billion-boost-to-science-and-tech-to-turbocharge-economy-with-regions-backed-to-take-cutting-edge-research-into-own-hands" target="_blank">click here.</a></span></p>]]></description>
<category>June 2025</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 8 Jun 2025 15:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Croner: Your weekly 'In the know' & updates</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/702637/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/702637/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 20px;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/non-member_logos/croner_-_logo__without_pilla.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 61px;" /></span></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 20px;">Your weekly 'In the know' & updates</span></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/news/2025/in_the_know_260525-partner.pdf" target="_blank">Government announces measures to support sectors reliant on migration for workforce </a><br /><a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/news/2025/in_the_know_190525-partner.pdf" target="_blank"><br />Latest CIPD data shows employers scaling back recruitment </a></p>]]></description>
<category>May 2025</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2025 10:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>SPAL Automotive honoured with the JLRQ Award from Jaguar Land Rover</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/702652/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/702652/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>MIA Member SPAL Automotive has shared the following press release.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/member_logos/spal_new_logo.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 94px;" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">SPAL Automotive honoured with the JLRQ Award from Jaguar Land Rover</span></strong></p><p>Jaguar Land Rover has awarded SPAL Automotive the prestigious JLRQ Award, which recognizes excellence in supplier performance.</p><p>The award follows a thorough evaluation process conducted by Jaguar Land Rover, which acknowledged SPAL’s continuous commitment to maintaining high standards of quality, reliability, and innovation.</p><p>Key strengths highlighted include the high level of process automation, the quality of technical documentation, and the professionalism of the team, which have all played a role in strengthening the collaboration between the two companies.</p><p>Jaguar Land Rover emphasized the importance of sustaining this level of excellence as a foundation for future improvements, supporting the brand’s strategy to establish itself as a leader in the luxury sector.</p><p>To find out more <a href="https://www.spalautomotive.com/en/-/spal-automotive-honored-with-the-jlrq-award-from-jaguar-land-rover" target="_blank">click here.</a><br /></p>]]></description>
<category>May 2025</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 12:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Stäubli expands manufacturing footprint in India with renewable energy connectors</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/702642/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/702642/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>MIA Member Staubli UK has shared the following press release.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/member_logos/staubli_logo_pantone-u_copy.jpg" /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: 18px; background: white; font-family: Arial;">Stäubli
expands manufacturing footprint in India with renewable energy connectors</span></b></p><p>Bangalore, India – Stäubli, a global leader in industrial and mechatronic solutions, is proud to announce the signing of the establishment of a new manufacturing facility in Bangalore, India.</p><p>Stäubli has signed an agreement to establish a new manufacturing facility in Bangalore, India, dedicated to producing renewable energy connectors. This expansion marks Stäubli’s commitment to delivering high-value solutions tailored to the growing demands of the Indian renewable energy market.</p><p>This strategic initiative supports India’s ambitious target of achieving 280 GW of solar energy by 2030. With operations set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, this new facility will amplify Stäubli’s manufacturing capabilities, enhancing its capacity for rapid innovation and driving sustainable development throughout the region.</p><p>Gurupad Bhat, Managing Director of Stäubli Tech Systems India, stated, " This strategic initiative brings us closer to our customers and enhances our agility in delivering service excellence. We are excited about the prospects of contributing to the renewable landscape of India's dynamic industrial setting."</p><p>Gerald Vogt, Group CEO, further emphasized, “The establishment of our manufacturing facility in Bengaluru is a testament to our long-term dedication to innovation. This expansion strengthens our presence in India and reinforces our commitment to driving sustainable growth in the region.”</p><p>Stäubli is a global industrial and mechatronic solution provider with four dedicated divisions: Electrical Connectors, Fluid Connectors, Robotics and Textile, serving customers who aim to increase their productivity in many industrial sectors. Stäubli currently operates in 28 countries, with agents in 50 countries on four continents. Its global workforce of 6,000 shares a commitment to partnering with customers in nearly every industry to provide comprehensive solutions with long-term support. Originally founded in 1892 as a small workshop in Horgen/Zurich, Switzerland, today Stäubli is an international Group headquartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland.</p><p>Stäubli Tec Systems India, with its main base in Bangalore and a branch in Gurgaon, focuses on Electrical Connectors, Fluid Connectors and Robotics. Since its establishment in 2012, Stäubli Tec Systems India provides high-quality products and services to various industries including automotive, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, railways, plastics, aero-space and alternative fuels. With a dynamic team of experts in their respective fields, Stäubli Tec Systems is equipped to provide customized solutions and support to enhance productivity, flexibility and efficiency.</p><p>To find out more <a href="https://www.staubli.com/gb/en/news/global/2025/staeubli-expands-indian-manufacturing-footprint.html" target="_blank">click here.</a></p>]]></description>
<category>May 2025</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 12:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>From RoamingExpert to CoByEx: Connected by Experts</title>
<link>https://the-mia.com/news/701958/</link>
<guid>https://the-mia.com/news/701958/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>MIA Member CoByEx has shared the following press release.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://the-mia.com/resource/resmgr/member_logos/members/logo_cobyex.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 132px;" /></p><p style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 20px; font-family: Arial; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">From Roaming Expert to CoByEx: Connected by Experts</span></b></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">RoamingExpert, an international leader in telecoms solutions, has rebranded as CoByEx – Connected by Experts.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">The summer of 2025 marks a pivotal moment in our journey as we reintroduce ourselves to the world. More than just a name change, this rebrand is a reflection of who we’ve become: a global connection company, driven by purpose, guided by expertise, and defined by our customer-first approach.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">After more than two decades of steady evolution, CoByEx represents the next chapter in a story built on expertise, integrity, and a relentless focus on making connectivity work for people and businesses around the world. </span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">CEO and Managing Director Mark Pattman shares more about the rebrand and why it matters:</span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"><em>“From the beginning in 2003, we’ve built a business on trust, technical excellence, and a clear commitment to helping customers thrive. The move to CoByEx reflects how far we’ve come and where we’re going. It’s a bold step, but a natural one. Each shift in our identity has marked a strategic decision to better serve our customers. From RedRose Telecom to RoamingExpert, and now to CoByEx, our name evolves, but our principles remain constant.”</em></span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">A New Name, the Same Expert Approach</span></b></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">At the core of CoByEx is the same promise that has guided us since day one: to provide solutions that put our customers first. We don’t push products — we offer clarity. We don’t lock you in — we open doors. We’re honest, experienced, and proud to be experts in all things connectivity.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"><em>“</em></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"><em>While we’ve long been known as specialists in mobile telecoms, our capabilities have expanded dramatically over the last 20 years,” Mark explains. “Whether it’s fibre broadband for businesses of all sizes, satellite solutions for world-cruising yachts, or managed IT that scales to fit each client’s needs, we’re delivering best-in-class services.”</em></span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">Our longstanding client relationships are testament to the expertise that we provide. It goes beyond a business service for our customers – our people, our knowledge and our services are a true benefit to their business’ operation.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">Powered by People, Guided by Experience</span></b></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">One thing that hasn’t changed is our belief in real expertise, delivered by real people. Every relationship we build is based on genuine understanding, technical know-how, and a shared goal: helping our clients succeed.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">That belief is embodied in new CTO Nick Moore, who brings with him decades of hands-on experience in connectivity at sea and on land.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">“What stood out about CoByEx is their commitment to tailored solutions. There’s no one-size-fits-all here. We listen, we understand, and we deliver,” </span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">says Nick<i>. “With backgrounds like mine, from superyachts to the Royal Navy, we’re blending insight with innovation to bring the right technology to the right people.”</i></span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">Nick will be tasked with expanding CoByEx’s horizons and helping to introduce new cutting-edge technologies to its customer base.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;">The Name has Changed, the Heart Remains</span></b></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">As Mark reflects on the transformation, he’s clear about one thing: the heart of the business hasn’t changed.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">“Our mission is the same as it’s always been: to make connectivity work for our customers. We don’t do flashy promises. We do honest, expert solutions that save money, solve problems, and make a real impact. The rebrand to CoByEx simply makes that mission clearer, bolder, and more expansive. CoByEx will stay ahead of the curve, in what is an incredibly fast-paced industry.”</span></i></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">So while the logo may be new, the values behind it are anything but. With a refreshed brand look and a reinforced commitment to excellence, CoByEx is ready to be the connectivity partner of choice.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">CoByEx: built on trust, driven by expertise, and always connected to what matters most – our customers. </span></p><p style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">To find out more please <a href="https://cobyex.com/" target="_blank">click here.</a></span></p>]]></description>
<category>May 2025</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2025 11:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
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