Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC), the UK-based centre of excellence for automotive design and engineering founded by Indian automotive manufacturer Tata Motors, has appointed John O'Connor as its new Director and Head effective from 1st March 2016.

A mechanical engineer by profession with an MBA from Warwick Business School, John joins TMETC from Tata Motors, where he was operating out of Pune as Vehicle Line Director - Cars.

John was instrumental in the development and launch of the Tata Zest, which was launched in August 2014 to critical acclaim. Designed and developed based on three key fundamental principles, namely DesigNext, DriveNext and ConnectNext, the Tata Zest was a collaboration between the Tata Motors engineering and design teams in Pune and the corresponding teams at TMETC.

Prior to joining Tata Motors, John held senior positions in the automotive, construction equipment and transportation industries with WMG, Ford, JCB, Alston Transport, and Bombardier Transportation.

While with WMG John led the company's involvement in the Low Carbon Vehicle Technology Project (LCVTP), a £29m collaboration programme funded by Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund that TMETC also supported.

John commented: "I am very excited by the challenge of leading TMETC through the next phase of development. We will build on the solid foundations created in the last 10 years and enhance the company's innovative and technological capability to support Tata Motors' vision and strategy from our future home at the NAIC."