For the first time in 103 years, Morgan Motor Company is being run by someone other than a Morgan family member. Charles Morgan, the grandson of H.F.S. Morgan, who founded the most traditional of British specialty carmakers, is no longer employed by the company, according to Morgan Technologies, an affiliate company to Morgan Motor.
The separation is apparently not voluntary, with Morgan telling Autocar that he is appealing the decision. Charles Morgan joined the family firm in 1985, working next to his father Peter until the latter’s 1999 retirement. Charles has been chairman of Morgan since 2003 and very much the public face of the company. Under his direction the company has had record growth, introduced new models, adopted modern aluminum construction for their chassis, and reintroduced the Morgan 3 Wheeler to great critical acclaim.
Behind the scenes, though, there appears to have been some kind of power struggle, perhaps within the Morgan family itself, since the firm continues to be 100% privately held by family members.In March, following a decision by company stockholders and the board of directors, operations director Steve Morris replaced Charles Morgan as managing director. A company statement at the time said, “Charles Morgan will concentrate on his vital role as the face of Morgan internationally, promoting the brand and selling the company’s products worldwide.”
Morgan Aeromax
The change was described at the time by all parties as amicable though there were rumors that the board of directors was not satisfied with Charles Morgan’s performance managing the company’s growth. A Morgan spokesman said then, “It gives Charles the time to do what he needs to do on an international level, and it felt like a natural progression for Steve.” Nick Baker, MMC sales manager also said at the time, “Charles will remain the figurehead of Morgan. His role is now to focus on opening doors and creating the market.”
Apparently the situation has changed since March. In a statement released yesterday by Morgan Technologies Ltd. the company focused on pleasant news, “Over recent months, and in response to the growth in volumes, model range and overseas markets, the management team has been strengthened across a number of different areas, reflecting the scale and complexity of an increasingly global business.” However, after the release of that statement Morgan Motor Company confirmed to Autocar that Charles Morgan “is no longer involved in the running of the business” or on the company’s board of directors.
Morgan 3 Wheeler
Part of Morgan’s role as brand ambassador involved social media and after the announcement was made, his Twitter account started retweeting messages of condolence sent to him. One of his more recent personal tweets quotes Kenyan politician Mwai Kibaki, who famously said: “Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others. It is not an opportunity to satisfy personal greed.”
Following the confirmation, Charles Morgan told Autocar that, “I am appealing the decision”, without elaboration. He continues to be a shareholder in the company.
The company has so far not named a successor to replace Charles Morgan as brand ambassador.
First Henrik Fisker, now Charles Morgan. It’s a bad year for company namesakes. I wonder if Bill Ford is feeling any pressure?
Whatever…as long as they’re still around to build me my Morgan Aero Supersports.
Pity, as one had got rather accustomed to ogling the gentleman’s ball sack, as showcased in his tailored jeans.
Nothing wrong with that.
“Morgan Technologies,” e.g. “tree farm.”
So could we say Morgan has a bit of a termite problem?
I recently saw an episode of “The Used Car Profis,” (a British television program but I am not sure of the original title since I watched it with German overdubbing) and the story centered around buying a Morgan Plus 4 for a bargain price knowing that the chassis needed replacement. A replacement galvanized chassis is surprisingly cheap (around 750 GBP) but the work to install it is pretty mind-blowing, anywhere up to 200 hours of labour. The host of the program went to the Morgan “factory” to pick up the parts needed and had a little tour from Charles Morgan, who seemed like a real enthusiast. It is great that you can get replacement parts for pretty well any Morgan built in the last five decades.
Sounds like Wheeler Dealers.
Definitely Wheeler Dealers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxbuCHk26sw
Last night’s ep was an S2 Lotus Elise that needed very little work so they just made it a bit faster.
That episode was fun. One of the later episodes featured Edd replacing the tube-frame chassis of a TVR Cerbera, so it looks like the Wheeler Dealer boys have become well-acquainted with those kinds of colossal jobs.
And “Wheeler Dealers” translates to “The Used Car Profits”? Is the German language always that serious?
“Profis” actually, which is used a lot in German for “Professionals.” For example, “ein profi Fussballer” is a pro soccer player. Although “Profit” would actually fit pretty well conceptually but I cannot imagine that with the torture that poor mechanic is constantly subject to there is much of a win at the bottom line.
When I hear the phrase “the management team has been strengthened…” means they hired more bs managers who know nothing about the product. They are usually marketing and branding clowns, financial and legal folks who aim to take the company public or sell to investors to make more money for the managers. Maybe I’m too cynical and I hope I’m wrong. And I’d love to drive one one of those new 3 wheelers
Ooh.. malevolence in the manor.
Could this really go south and inspire a future Midsomer Murders episode? It’s got all the classic plot lines… modernity and greedy kids assailing the gentry.
Long Live British TV
The guy said he was aiming to double his company’s production in one year based on selling a greatly increased output of a three wheeled car. What could possibly go wrong?
I was just driving by the Morgan dealer on Pico yesterday as the mechanic was moving one into the shop. There were several in there, all very pretty, but I liked the black 3 wheeler with the red stripe the best.
Myself, I am amazed that a company that builds such ugly vehicles has managed to survive this long.
In reading this, I missed where I need to send my resume’