These are the directors of Torotrak (Development) Ltd, to see the profiles of the directors of Torotrak plc please see the page in the investor section - directors' biographies.
Dick Elsy - Chief Executive Officer
Dick has been part of the top team at Jaguar Cars Limited, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, that has driven Jaguar's growth over the last few years. He has a proven track record in getting new products and technology from concept readiness through the implementation phase to production readiness and on to market launch.
He was most recently Product Development Director at Jaguar, where he launched the new Jaguar S-type (2002) and delivered the new body construction technology, which has just been deployed in the XJ saloon. As Project Director at Rover Group/BMW AG he was responsible for the delivery of the Land Rover Freelander (1998) which introduced new patented technology, including hill descent control.
His previous senior roles at Jaguar, Rover and BMW mean that he has a detailed understanding of the intricate links at top levels between car manufacturers and their tier 1 suppliers as well as the competitive pressures facing car manufacturers in bringing new technology to market.
Jeremy Deering - Finance Director
Jeremy joined Torotrak as Interim Finance Director in March 2006, assuming the position of Finance Director in December 2006.
He brings to Torotrak a strong financial and commercial background with FTSE 100 companies, start-ups and flotation’s. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen, Jeremy held senior finance positions in Tomkins PLC and then the United Utilities group where he became Group Financial Controller and subsequently Finance Director of Norweb PLC and then Acting Managing Director/ Finance Director of Your Communications. From 2003, Jeremy has worked with a number of start-up and growth companies on a project / consultancy basis, most recently as Interim Finance Director of System C Healthcare Plc during its successful AIM flotation in 2005.
Chris Greenwood - Technology Director
Chris joined Leyland Vehicles in 1978 to start research and development into traction drives for application to commercial vehicles and buses and was instrumental in setting up the CVT group that eventually evolved into Torotrak.
Chris is responsible for leading the development of Torotrak's IVT technology and its protection throughout an expanding patent portfolio. Being Torotrak's leading inventor, Chris has his name on over 50% of Torotrak's patents and patent applications.
James Batchelor – Commercial Director
James joined Torotrak on 31 March 2003 from Trafficmaster where he was responsible for business development, marketing and sales in the automotive sector. He brings considerable experience of developing business relationships at all levels within the automotive industry and of successfully selling new technology into the vehicle manufacturers and their tier 1 suppliers.
Before this, James's experience at BMW AG in Munich and in other senior appointments within the motor industry in the UK has included leadership of international, inter-company collaborative ventures as well as responsibility for marketing, business planning, line-engineering and new vehicle development programmes.
James reports directly to chief executive Dick Elsy, and leads the Torotrak business development team in its principle objective of securing production commitments from key vehicle manufacturers and their tier-1 suppliers.
Rob Oliver - Director, Off-highway & Heavy Duty
Rob joined Torotrak as project manager in 1999 and two years later was promoted to the position of chief engineer. In 2003, as a result of Torotrak’s decision to broaden its product and market portfolio into the off-highway sector, he was given overall responsibility for IVT development for agricultural, construction and commercial vehicles. He was appointed as a director of Torotrak (Development) Ltd in May 2005.
Prior to joining Torotrak he was employed by Massey Ferguson Tractors (part of the AGCO group) where he led vehicle test and development in the UK. In his 14- year career with AGCO, Rob was involved in the development of tractor transmissions and drivelines including power-shift transmissions.
This experience of agricultural vehicle transmission design and development makes him the ideal person to lead Torotrak’s work in the off-highway sector.
Steve Murray - Engineering Director
Steve has recently assumed the position of Engineering Director for Torotrak and brings to the team a wealth of knowledge and experience in Engineering.
He gained an MEng in 1990 from Newcastle Polytechnic and an MSc in Engineering in 1994 from Loughborough University. Between 1990 and 1993 he was employed by the Ford Motor Company in research and product development roles.
He joined Torotrak in 1997 as the Powertrain Control Manager, responsible for the strategy, design and calibration of electronic control systems. In 2004 he became Chief Engineer for Control Systems, overseeing hydraulic system simulation and hardware development. Within 10 months Steve was promoted to the position of General Manager of Engineering, and, at the end of 2006, became Engineering Director, responsible for all engineering activities. He has been instrumental in many of the major developments in the full-toroidal traction drive technology within Torotrak over the last few years.
