alejandro agag

ALEJANDRO AGAG
Chief Executive Officer
Alejandro Agag is CEO of Formula E Holdings - a new FIA backed global motor racing Championing using cars
powered solely by electricity, beginning in September 2014. Born in Madrid in 1970, Alejandro Agag enjoyed an
international upbringing in Madrid, Paris and New York, gaining fluency in English, Spanish, French and Italian.
Agag graduated in Economics and Business Studies at Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF)
in Madrid. It was here that his interest in the world of politics began. Agag initially joined the youth organization
of the main centre-right Spanish party Partido Popular (PP) and went on to become its Head of International
Relations. Upon graduating, at the age of 23, Agag was named Deputy Secretary General of the European
People’s Party (EPP) and moved to Brussels. After holding that position for two years, Alejandro returned to
Spain. Following the PP’s first election victory, Agag was named personal assistant of the Prime Minister at 25.
In 1999, after assisting Spain’s Prime Minister for 3 years, Agag returned to European politics, after being elected
new Secretary General of the PPE. During the European elections in 1999 Agag won a seat in the European
Parliament, becoming the youngest Spanish person to ever win a seat in the European Parliament at the age of
28. As an MEP, Agag joined the Economic and Monetary affairs Commission of the European Parliament, and
became the spokesperson of the annual antitrust policy report at the European Parliament in 2000. In 2000,
Agag was elected Secretary General of the Centrist Democrat International (CDI), a global political organization
with over 100 member parties from all over the world.
In 2001 Agag decided to leave the world of politics and move to business. That career decision also coincided
with his marriage to Ana Aznar and their move to London. In 2002, Agag founded AAL Investments Ltd from
which he developed his business activity. Initially, AAL focused on providing strategic consulting advice to
international companies. It was during that time, that Agag first made contact with the world of motor racing.
Together with his business partner Flavio Briatore (then Team Principal of Renault F1) they purchased the
Formula One TV rights in Spain for a period of 6 years, during which the television audiences and value of F1
rights in Spain grew exponentially. Also from 2003, Agag begun playing a role in the sponsorship side of F1,
brokering deals between teams, FOM, and sponsors from Spain, and other parts of the world. Through this
activity, Agag worked with teams like Ferrari, McLaren and Renault F1.
In 2006 Agag founded Addax Capital LLP, an investment advisory company regulated by the FSA. The firm
carries out investment banking activity, and is presently run by Ignacio Munoz Alonso, formed CEO of Rothschild
Bank in Spain. In 2007, Agag took another step into the racing world, acquiring Campos Racing GP2 Team.
(GP2 is the feeder series for Formula One). When Agag took over the team, it ranked last in the standings,
lacked sponsors and top drivers. Agag completely transformed the Team: changing its name to Addax, signing
Qatari sponsor Barwa, hiring new engineers and drivers. As a result the team won the 2008 GP2 Series. Since
that year, the Team has always ranked in the top 3, winning the title again in 2011. So far, 6 drivers from the
Team have made to F1: Vitaly Petrov (Lotus and Caterham), Lucas di Grassi (Virgin Racing), Sergio Perez
(Sauber and McLaren), Romain Gosjean (Lotus), Charles Pic (Marussia) and Guido Van der Garde (Caterham).
In 2007, Agag joined a group of investors to acquire the historic English football club Queens Park Rangers. The
other main partners were Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and the Indian family Mittal. Agag became Chairman
of the Club during the takeover and later took on the role of Managing Director. The investors’ aim was to get
the Club promoted back to the English Premier League in a period of 4 years (at the moment of the acquisition
the team was at the bottom of the table of the Championship division). That feat was achieved in 2011. The Club
was then sold to Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes.
In 2012, Agag together with his business partner Enrique Bañuelos, a London-based real estate entrepreneur,
created Formula E Holdings Ltd. After a period of negotiation, the company signed an agreement with the FIA
to exclusively promote the new FIA Formula E Championship featuring racing cars powered solely by electricity.
Agag’s motor racing and business credentials earned him the position of CEO of Formula E. The clean energy
Championship debuting in 2014 will be held in the heart of global cities, where environmental concerns and rapid
urban growth are calling for urgent clean mobility solutions. Agag sees the research and development of electric
racing cars as a catalyst for the development of tomorrow’s clean city cars. With over a decade of motorsports
experience and years of shaping global and social issues as a politician, Agag is determined to revolutionise the
world of clean mobility on the racetrack, city streets and consumer markets. With a passion for technological
innovation and a proven skill for turning things around - his biggest challenge yet will be to leave a legacy of
clean mobility innovation in our 21st Century racetracks and cities.
www.fiaformulae.com
NIGEL ARNFIELD
Head of Engine Development
Nigel joined Malcolm Wilson’s private rally team in 1995 as a technician, to work on his Ford Escort Group A
project.
In 1997, having secured the Ford World Rally Championship contract, he moved on to engine engineering at
M-Sport, to support the Mountune engine units.
In 1999, he was seconded to Cosworth in Northampton to support work on the WRC M-Sport Ford Cosworth
engines, returning to Cumbria in 2003 as Senior Engine Engineer, a position he has held to this day.
From 2005 until 2012 he worked with Pipo of France on the engine development and production, but since 2012,
with an increase in the M-Sport in-house engine development department, he works more closely with his
supporting engineers and a pool of designers.
Nigel reports directly to Christian Loriaux, Technical Director of M-Sport, and M-Sport founder, Malcolm Wilson.
www.m-sport.co.uk
ULRICH BARETZKY
Director Audi Sport Engine Development
Born in 1954 in Straubing, Bavaria, he studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Munich.
He started his career as a Design Engineer within BMW Motorsport and was involved in different projects like
F2, F1 and High Performance engines M3 and M5.
In 1986 he moved to Audi as head of Race Engine Design. He led projects in Trans-Am, IMSA GTO, DTM,
ITC.
In 1993, he was promoted to the Head of Race & Special Engine Development at Audi Sport.
His projects at Audi Sport:
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Supertouring (1993 – 1998, 14 championships)
24 h of Le Mans since 1998 (victories in 2000 – 2014 except 2009)
Bentley Le Mans (victory in 2003)
ALMS, LMES, ILMC, WEC. 2 WEC World Championships 2012 and 2013
Audi R 8 LMS GT-3, STCC and DTM (Championship 1990, 1991, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and
2013).
Ulrich Baretzky is married to Brigitte and has two sons.
www.audi.de
NICK CARPENTER
Technical Director
Nick is Technical Director of UK race and road car engineering firm Delta Motorsport, taking responsibility for all
R&D, design and simulation activities. Prior to establishing Delta Motorsport, Nick held a variety of engineering
positions in the road and race car sectors.
After graduating from Loughborough University with a BEng (Hons) in Automotive Engineering, he spent 4 years
working in mainstream automotive Tier 1 companies before joining Reynard Motorsport as a design engineer in
1996. Over the next 5 years he worked his way up to the position of Assistant Chief Designer on the 02S Le
Mans prototype race car, having been involved with numerous successful race car programs such as Touring
Cars, Formula 3000, Champcar and even Dragsters.
Nick then moved to take a role as Chief Engineer at Piper Design in London, leading the engineering team on
diverse projects from the FP1 Foggy Petronas race motorcycle to a hydrogen fuel cell hybrid city car.
Since establishing Delta in 2005, Nick has led a wide variety of road and race car design, build and operations
programs and Delta has built a substantial client base in a variety of sectors, including motorsport and automotive
but also aerospace, marine and even product design.
www.delta-motorsport.com
GORDON DAY
General Manager
Gordon has had more than a decade of F1 experience with the Williams team, including trackside as a race
engineer, leading their advanced development engineering effort, and also as Head of Business Development
for the team.
In 2010, Gordon took up the role of Operations Director for Williams Hybrid Power, rising to General Manager
and Director of the group, before it was bought by GKN in April 2014. He has overseen the successful transition
of the electric flywheel technology from the race track to the bus lane as the technology is further developed with
funding from the Advanced Propulsion Centre
www.gknhybridpower.com
THOMAS LAUDENBACH
Head of Electrical Systems, Electronics, Energy Systems
Born in 1967 in Santiago, Chile, Thomas Laudenbach’s first real involvement in racing was in 1987 racing
motorcycles later becoming an engine mechanic for the Suzuki Germany Superbike team.
In 1994 he graduated from the University of Karlsruhe in Germany with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
His motorsport career followed after obtaining his degree:
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1994 - 1995: Development and Trackside Engineer in DTM (AMG-Mercedes and OPEL-Team
Rosberg), engine control calibration and data acquisition
1996 - 1998: IAVF company in Karlsruhe (Germany), engine development (road car and race engines)
for various OEM´s
Since 1997: Team Leader
Oct. 1998 - Feb. 2013: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Motorsport department, development engineer,
various projects including Carrera GT
Since end of 2003: V8 engine Project Manager
Since start of 2005: Head of Motorsport Powertrain, responsible for all powertrain projects within
Porsche Motorsport including road car engines for GT3 and GT3 RS, 918 Spyder; race engines for GT3
Cup, GT3 RSR and RS Spyder (LMP2) and LMP1, advanced engineering projects for motorsport
As of March 2013, Thomas Laudenbach has been with Audi AG-Audi Sport as the Head of Electrics, Electronics
and Energy Systems working on projects in LMP1 and DTM
www.audi.de
ARNAUD MARTIN
Director of Powertrain
Arnaud Martin is Director of Powertrain at RML Group, the world-class solutions provider in motorsport and
high-performance engineering.
Arnaud’s previous history in motorsport includes working at Cosworth from 1997 to 2005. Starting in the
automotive engine sector, but quickly moving to motorsport to work on customer programs such as Tyrrell and
Minardi. A works program followed and as part of the performance development group, he led the single
cylinder research engine program.
2006 saw a new challenge for Arnaud, creating the Powertrain department of RML with a view to build and
develop a normally aspirated engine for the Chevrolet WTCC program, this engine went on to win Chevrolet’s
first WTCC title.
Arnaud meanwhile was busy designing the new FIA GRE engine for Chevrolet, a clean sheet design 1.6 litre
turbo, direct injected engine developing 320bhp. In 2011 this engine delivered Chevrolet’s 2nd WTCC title,
dominating with 21 wins out of 24 races and repeated winning the title in 2012 and 2013.
2012 bought a move to endurance engine projects for Arnaud, designing the Nissan DeltaWing for Le Mans 24
hours. Arnaud’s latest challenge was leading the ZEOD powertrain project which competed at Le Mans this
year, the subject of Arnaud’s presentation.
For 2014 the engine received an upgrade pushing its power to 380bhp, and even despite this power increase
the engine has achieved 100% race reliability.
www.rmlmallock.co.uk
MARK MATHIESON
Chief Engineer Powertrain Research
After completing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a masters degree in Engine Design at Bath
University, Mark spent four years at Ricardo Consulting Engineers before joining Ilmor Engineering as a
valvetrain development engineer, rising to become Head of Formula One Development.
Over a period of five years Mark built a successful team, embedding a strong development culture and capability
throughout the company. Mark then took charge of the Formula One Engine Programme for Mercedes, with a
brief to further improve the effectiveness of the team and thereby establish a competitive edge on the race track.
In 2007 Mark returned to the family business, Mathwall Engineering, to rejuvenate it as a provider of specialist
engineering products and services, with significant growth and profitability achieved.
Mark was invited to join McLaren Automotive in 2014 as Chief Engineer Powertrain Research to define and
develop the new powertrain platform for the next generation of McLaren road cars.
www.cars.mclaren.com
MARK McNALLY
Research Manager - Hybrid & Electrification
Born in 1965, in Birmingham, England and educated at the University of Warwick, in Engineering Business
Management, Mark McNally has worked in the Automotive Industry at Jaguar Land Rover for over 25 years.
Throughout his extensive career he has held senior management positions in both Product Development and
Manufacturing, both in the UK and assignments abroad.
Over the past 6 years the Chartered Engineer, has lead a portfolio of innovative Research projects developing
the next generation of Hybrid propulsions systems in partnership with the Government’s, Innovate UK.
He now leads one of the UK’s largest automotive collaborative research projects Evoque_e, drawing on expertise
and knowledge from within the Automotive and Motorsport industry, comprising of Academics and Engineers
from within the UK Supply Chain, Technology Consultants, SME’s and Universities, as part of JLR’s Advanced
Low Carbon Vehicle Team, based at the University of Warwick Manufacturing Group.
www.jaguarlandrover.com
MICHAEL MYCHAJLUK
Supply Chain & External Engagement Manager
Mike has worked in the automotive industry for over 16 years and currently has a keen focus on providing
business support to the UK automotive supply chain as our industry takes advantage of a UK Automotive Industry
renaissance.
Mike has a focus on supply chain challenges in the areas as follows: corporate social responsibility; growth and
access to finance; risk management; and supply chain standards and visibility. As part of this work Mike has
taken leadership of the Automotive Council Supply Chain ‘Access to Finance’ workstream.
Mike has a special interest in re-shoring suppliers & manufacturing processes into the UK thereby encouraging
regional supply which in turn will ensure a sustainable future for UK automotive industry.
www.jaguarlandrover.com
TONY PARKINSON
Vice President and General Manager - EMEA Server and Storage Technology Solutions Group
Tony Parkinson currently leads the Dell EMEA Server and Storage Technology Solutions Team for Dell EMEA,
prior to this he was VP Emerging Enterprise Solutions organization across Dell’s Server, Storage and Networking
portfolio. Prior to this position, Tony was VP of Dell EMEA Enterprise Solutions and previously VP of the Dell
Enterprise Solutions Business for Small and Medium Business Worldwide.
Mr. Parkinson joined Dell in August 2009. Prior to joining Dell, Mr. Parkinson worked at Hewlett Packard as Vice
President and General Manager for Enterprise Storage and Servers, Asia Pacific. Mr. Parkinson held various
positions with Compaq and HP over a 20 year period working in North America and Asia Pacific.
A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, Mr. Parkinson earned a Bachelor of Business with a
Marketing Major.
Mr. Parkinson was born in Australia and is based in London.
www.dell.co.uk
PROF. RICHARD PARRY-JONES CBE, FREng, FIMechE
Co-chairman (2009-2014)
Professor Richard Parry-Jones joined Ford in 1969 as an undergraduate trainee while he earned a first class
honours degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Salford. He spent nearly 40 years at the car
maker, holding a number of senior R&D and manufacturing posts in England, Germany and America. Between
1994 and 1998 he was Vice-President of the small car European product development group, during which time
he led development of models such as the Focus, Ka, Fiesta and Puma.
From 1998 until 2007, Richard oversaw product development activities for all Ford vehicles worldwide, as well
as the design, research and vehicle technology functions. As Chief Technical Officer, he reported to the
company's Board of Directors on technical matters and headed a staff of 30,000 engineers, scientists, designers
and business professionals in the North American, European, Latin American and the Asia-Pacific regions across
the Ford, Lincoln, Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover and Aston Martin brands.
He is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. In 1995 he was
awarded an honorary doctorate from Loughborough University and in early 2005 he was awarded a CBE for
services to the automobile industry.
He previously chaired the cross-industry new automotive innovation and growth team, which was established to
analyse the strategic issues facing the UK automotive industry, and he now co-chairs, with Vince Cable, the UK
Automotive Council.
Currently Richard is CEO for RPJ Consulting, a company he founded in 2007. RPJ Consulting specialises in
offering strategic and technology expertise and hands-on engineering problem-solving with global insight and
experience. He was appointed Chairman of Network Rail in July 2012, and has served on the Board of GKN plc
since 2008.
He is a member of the Governing Council at Bangor University. He is a Visiting Professor in Automotive
Engineering at Loughborough University, and has been Policy Advisor for more than four years to both UK and
Welsh Assembly governments on economic development, manufacturing industrial policy, transport and energy.
He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Salford University in 2013 and an Honorary Doctorate for work in
engineering methods development, Cranfield University, an Honorary Fellow, Bangor University, and an
Honorary Doctorate, Swansea University in 2006.
www.automotivecouncil.co.uk
WILL PHILLIPS
Vice President of Technology
From the United Kingdom, Will Phillips has had an extensive career in the Motorsport Industry. As of 2011 he
was named the President of Technology and is responsible for overseeing the direction and implementation of
the technical rules package for the next generation of Verizon IndyCar Series car and their enforcement starting
with the 2012 season.
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1989-1990: contributed to the chassis design and development of the Porsche Indy
1991: contributed to the chassis design and development of the Fondmetal Formula 1 car
1992: contributed to the chassis design and development of the Venturi Larrouse Formula 1 car
2010: served as engineering director for Patron Highcroft Racing in the American Le Mans Series, which
won the LMP championship
Phillips as a race engineer has worked with current Verizon IndyCar Series drivers Ryan Hunter-Reay, Simon
Pagenaud and previously Alex Tagliani, Danny Sullivan, Scott Sharp, Nigel Mansell and Teo Fabi among others.
Alongside being appointed the Vice President of Technology Will Phillips also chairs the IEC and IAC (INDYCAR
Engine Committee and INDYCAR Aero Committee), groups of representatives from the Verizon IndyCar Series
manufacturers that meet several times a year to discuss goals and emerging technologies while developing a
roadmap for the future.
www.indycar.com
TONY PIXTON
Chief Executive Officer
Tony Pixton has more than 36 years of experience in the global automotive industry bringing technology and
products to market for brands including Ford, Mazda, Land Rover and Volvo.
Since achieving a first class degree in automotive engineering and design from Loughborough University he has
worked across the world, managing cross functional teams to deliver award winning projects on time and on
budget.
Prior to joining APC UK Ltd., he worked in Japan as Representative Director and Assistant to the President on
the Board of the Mazda Motor Corporation. His previous roles include Executive Director of Global Product
Development at Ford and Platform Director at Volvo and Land Rover during Ford’s ownership of the brands.
From 1994 through 1998 he was the Chief Program Engineer responsible for the development of the award
winning Ford Focus, starting from a clean sheet of paper to production of the car that was awarded both
European and North American Car of the Year titles and has now sold more than six million units worldwide.
www.apcuk.co.uk
STEVE SAPSFORD
Global Market Sector Director - High Performance Vehicles & Motorsport
Brief career history of Steve Sapsford:
Steve Sapsford joined Ricardo in 1986 after graduating in Mechanical Engineering from Southampton University
and worked initially in 1-D gas dynamics simulation. He then moved to the Refinement Centre where he worked
on the application of 1-D gas dynamics to exhaust and intake noise prediction using WAVE. He formed the CFD
applications group in 1993 working principally on coolant, in-cylinder and manifold flows.
In 2005, Steve went on to run Ricardo Software, supplying many OEMs and motorsport companies with analysis
software to optimise engine performance and design, and then, in 2007, he was promoted to Global Product
Group Director for all gasoline engine business.
In 2010 he became the Global Market Sector Director for high performance vehicles and motorsport.
Short Company History:
Ricardo is a global, world-class, multi-industry consultancy for engineering, technology, project innovation and
strategy. Formed almost a century ago, the company employs over 2300 professional engineers, consultants
and staff. It is committed to providing outstanding value through quality engineering solutions focused on high
efficiency, low emission, class-leading product innovation and robust strategic implementation. Clients include
the world's major transportation original equipment manufacturers, supply chain organizations, energy
companies, financial institutions & governments.
www.ricardo.com
PAT SYMONDS
Chief Technical Officer
Pat Symonds is Chief Technical Officer of the Williams F1 Team.
Symonds’ 30-year Formula One career has seen him achieve success with some of the sport’s most
accomplished teams and drivers.
Having started his career at Toleman, it was with Benetton and subsequently Renault that he achieved
extraordinary success. His partnerships with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso produced 32 race wins,
four Drivers’ World Championships and three Constructors’ World Championships.
www.williamsf1.com