In the Driving Seat: Philip Davies, Automotive Analyst, Dept for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)
Much of the UK’s automotive data, along with its interpretation, comes from Philip Davies, Automotive Analyst, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) – here’s your chance to find out more about the man behind the data…
Name
Philip Davies
Company
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)
Position
Automotive Analyst
Apart from that
Business
Automotive Council Supply Chain Group workstream leader: quantifying the supply chain opportunity
Member, Royal Aeronautical Society
Chartered Engineer
Personal
Chairman: Stafford MG Enthusiasts
Association with NAA
I can’t remember when I first became aware of the NAA but over the last few years Carol has taken considerable interest in the Automotive Council Supply Chain work, especially the reports setting out the potential to grow the UK supply chain. Over many years the UK supply chain has hollowed out for a variety of reasons, and the Automotive Council is working to reverse this trend and re-shore business back to UK. There are compelling reasons to source locally, and auto suppliers in the North West are well placed to take advantage of this opportunity. My work with the Council has helped scope the opportunity, whilst the NAA is the ideal organisation to help get the message out to the supply chain community, and turn the opportunity into reality.
Personal
Married to Olivia, currently living in Derby though as the job is London-based we spend a fair bit of time in Chessington.
The MG club gets us out and about a fair bit, either in our ZT or MGF. People often think that car clubs are all about the cars: ours seems to revolve mainly around tea rooms and restaurants, with the occasional car show and overseas trip for good measure.
When not out with the club we spend a fair bit of our leisure time in our cottage in Normandie (where I am writing this). It’s in the middle of farmland: the perfect antidote to the day job in Victoria Street. We also have a touring caravan, currently sitting on the drive here in France, and when time allows we plan to tour more extensively around Europe.
My other hobby is music, especially playing the guitar – or should that be guitars. Latest acquisition is a Bill Nelson signature Eastwood Astroluxe guitar, which plays even better than it looks. It would play even better if I practiced more!
Favourite football team
Kingstonian (Ryman premier league).
Musical performer
Bill Nelson. 1970’s guitar hero with BeBop Deluxe, and still working in his home studio, turning out an album every few months. Check out www.billnelson.com where Bill himself is a regular contributor
Movie
This is Spinal Tap is always worth another watch. Recent films we have enjoyed include The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything, and the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Books
I should read more. As a child I loved classics such as Swallows and Amazons, Wind in the Willows, and will always be grateful to my mum for introducing me to the work of Dorothy L Sayers.
Best motoring moment
Buying the MGF, which opened up the classic car world to us, though it also taught us more than we wanted to know about head gaskets.
Best business advice you’ve ever received?
Treat others as you would wish to be treated – one day your assistant may end up as your boss.
