NAA Member News: HRH The Princess Royal visits JLR’s Halewood facility to mark 60th anniversary of vehicle manufacturing at the site
HRH The Princess Royal visited JLR Halewood in September for a special diamond anniversary tour to mark 60 years of manufacturing since the first vehicle was produced at the Merseyside facility, in 1963.
Her Royal Highness was given exclusive insight into electrification plans and works underway at the facility as it is reimagined as an all-electric manufacturing facility.
Local charity, The Inclusive Hub, was also invited to the royal occasion after being selected by employees for a vehicle donation as part of an internal recognition scheme. HRH The Princess Royal presented the charity with a Discovery Sport, built at Halewood, on behalf of JLR. The donation was in recognition of their amazing work in the local community to empower people of all ages and abilities through exercise and education.
Commenting at the milestone event, Trevor Leeks, JLR Halewood Operations Director, said:
“I’m delighted to be joined by Her Royal Highness, the Lord Lieutenant, honoured guests and my fellow JLR family to celebrate our Diamond Anniversary year for car manufacturing at Halewood today.
While Halewood’s history began 60 years ago under different ownership, many of our wonderful people have long connections through that era into today’s stewardship under JLR.
We look forward to an exciting new chapter as the plant progresses at pace to an all-electric future building the next generation of vehicles as we deliver our Reimagine strategy and our ambition to be the world’s leading modern luxury car manufacturer.”
Liam Starkey, Coach and Director at The Inclusive Hub, said:
“This remarkable donation from JLR will help us provide life changing support for more people who are differently abled and socially isolated.
The new vehicle will help us to give more people access to our fitness sessions, school outreach sessions, mental health meetings, parent support groups and food bank hamper deliveries.
On behalf of the Inclusive Hub, our partners, our members and our community around Liverpool, we thank every single person at JLR for this invaluable and unbelievable gesture.”
During her visit, HRH The Princess Royal also visited the Queen’s Green Canopy Orchard, a spectacular onsite orchard and sustainable eco-system which was planted on site to mark the Platinum Jubilee in 2022.