John M Neill – Unipart Group Executive Chairman


John NeillDr John M Neill CBE  BA, MBA, DBA, FCIM, FCIPS
Executive Chairman
Unipart Group

John Neill began his career in General Motors and then joined British Leyland where he was responsible for building the Unipart brand into one of Britain’s best-known, most-trusted brands. In 1987 he led the management buyout of the company transforming it from its origins into a global manufacturing, logistics and consulting business while at the same time building The Unipart Way ecosystem, now widely used throughout the company and amongst its clients.  

John Neill was formerly a member of the Board of Business in the Community, a Director of the Bank of England and a Non-Executive Director of the Royal Mail, Charter International plc and Rolls-Royce plc.

John was appointed Prince’s Ambassador for the South East for 2009 by HRH The Prince of Wales.

He is an Executive Board Member of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. John is Vice-President of The Institute of the Motor Industry and is also a Vice-President of BEN.

John Neill was educated at George Heriot’s School, Edinburgh and the University of Strathclyde where he gained a Bachelor of Arts Degree and then a Masters Degree in Business Administration.  

In July 2012, he was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University by Strathclyde.  

He has also been awarded Honorary Doctorates from Oxford Brookes University, Middlesex University, De Montfort University and Coventry University.

John is a Companion of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.