Ken Keir (pictured right), the British executive vice-president of Honda Motor Europe (HME), is retiring after 20 years service at Honda. He is to be replaced by Ian Howells, currently HME’s head of business administration, who takes on the position of senior vice-president reporting to HME president Manabu Nishimae.
Keir leaves Honda after a long and highly successful career in the business. He joined Honda UK in 1993 as general manager of its car division, a move which coincided with Honda’s automotive manufacturing investment at Swindon. In 1998, he was promoted to managing director of Honda UK. He then became HME senior vice-president in 2003, heading up its car, motorcycle and power products operations in 27 European, Middle Eastern and African markets. Keir was awarded an OBE for services to the motor industry in 2006.
Ian Howells joined Honda Motor Europe five years ago as head of business administration, following a number of senior management positions for multi-national businesses. He is a chartered accountant by profession.