President and CEO of Kia UK, Paul Philpott, has been appointed the 84th President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Announced at SMMT’s 108th Annual Dinner, he will assume office from 1 January 2026, replacing Mick Flanagan, Vice President for Adient, who steps down after completing his two-year tenure.
Philpott’s career in the automotive sector goes back 37 years when, after graduating with a degree in Banking and Finance from Loughborough University, he joined Ford of Britain, rising through the ranks before joining Toyota GB, and becoming a director at the age of 34.
In 2007, he then joined Kia UK as Managing Director, putting the brand on a path of rapid, sustainable growth, before moving to Kia Europe in Frankfurt to lead the company at the European level as Chief Operating Officer.
He returned to the UK in 2021, to become the first non-Korean president and chief executive of an international Kia subsidiary, where he has overseen the brand’s transition to zero emission motoring and expansion into commercial vehicles.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Paul brings vast experience and a deep understanding of the sector that will be invaluable during a period of significant transformation and uncertainty.
“I would also like to express our gratitude to outgoing president Mick Flanagan for his exceptional service.”
Philpott said: “I am proud to take on this responsibility at such a defining moment for our industry, and I am committed to working with all stakeholders to secure a sustainable and successful future for UK Automotive.”
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