Hall of Fame
Richard Palmer CFO, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
IT’S been an interesting year for FCA. The group is in better financial shape than it has been for a long while, and it almost pulled off the coup of the year with its proposed merger with Renault.
Behind much of that success is Richard Palmer, the group CFO, who sits on the main board with a huge amount of influence across all the group’s brands – he’s far more than just a numbers man.
Palmer’s career in finance very nearly didn’t happen; he studied microbiology and biotechnology at university. But after starting his career with Price Waterhouse, he joined Fiat in 2003. In his time with the Italian/American company, he’s been exposed to most of the group’s businesses, from cars to trucks and even industrial automation and robotics.
He puts FCA’s turnaround down to a decisive management team making bold decisions quickly. Palmer’s part in that can’t be overplayed, which is why he was number one in this year’s Brit List – our rundown of most influential Brits in the car business – and is the latest inductee into the Auto Express Hall of Fame.
Ian Callum Designer
THIS year marked Ian
Callum’s 20th in charge of Jaguar’s design team – and also the year that he decided to step away from the role to try other things.
Callum’s time at Jaguar cemented his position as one of the UK’s greatest ever car designers. He helped transform the brand, and its cars, into world beaters. His latest – the pure-electric I-Pace – won our Car of the Year Award this time last year, but in 2019 has been named World Car of the Year. Just as important for Callum and his team, the I-Pace picked up the World Car Design of the Year trophy
With a host of iconic cars to his name, Callum’s legacy is already assured. But he has no plans for retirement; his talents are in too much demand around the world.
We’re delighted that this pivotal year in Callum’s career includes being the very first car designer to be inducted into the Auto Express Hall of Fame.
“His career in finance very nearly didn’t happen after he studied the ‘wrong’ subjects at uni”