M-Sport founder Malcolm Wilson thinks it is time to proceed with restructuring plans following the news that M-Sport Commercial Director John Steele will retire at the end of the year.
Malcolm Wilson singled out Steele for his contributions in shaping the British company into the motorsport giant it is today. Steele has been associated with the company in various capacities for almost four decades.
Having served as an M-Sport employee for almost four decades, Steele has witnessed some of the most important turning points in M-Sport’s history, such as the acquisition of the Ford contract to operate its cars in the FIA World Rally Championship, seven FIA World Rally Championship titles, and the hiring of star drivers like Sebastien Ogier, Carlos Sainz, and the late Colin McRae.
Additionally, he was in charge of hiring more employees and was instrumental in turning the new, cutting-edge evaluation center near the settlement of Cockermouth from a sketch into a physical structure.
Steele will now have more time to spend with his family, but he will still work with M-Sport UK in an advisory capacity and monitor any changes to the management structure.
“The 38 years I have spent as part of the M-Sport family have flown by, and I take with me a great sense of pride in helping this once small family business grow into the global industry leader it is today,” said Steele.
“For that I sincerely thank Malcolm and Elaine for giving me the opportunity along with their help and trust all those years ago.
“M-Sport’s always been and will continue to be about its people.”
M-Sport has undergone a restructuring as a result of Steele’s decision to leave his role, and Wilson has appointed a new leadership team that includes his son Matthew, who is currently the company director, M-Sport Technical Director Chris Williams, FIA World Rally Championship Team Principal Richard Millener, Finance Director Paul McKnespiey, and M-Sport Poland board member Maciej Woda.
Wilson thinks that Steele’s involvement will provide stability for M-Sport’s clients, partners, and employees.
“Firstly, I would like to thank John for everything he has done to help build M-Sport into what it is today,” said Wilson. “It wouldn’t have been possible without him.
“As he steps back, the time is now right to progress our succession plan for M-Sport UK and in Matthew, Chris, Rich, Paul and Maciej we have five exceptionally driven individuals with the knowledge and insight to ensure our continued growth and success.
“We already have a close day-to-day working relationship, and I look forward to continuing and strengthening that over the coming years.”
