Biography

Jay started his career at Porsche in the late 1980s. In the 1990s he ran the UK division of a German automotive consultancy, and in 1998 he set up his own consultancy, Spyder Redspy Ltd.

This supplied market analysis and strategic advice to car manufacturers, including projects such as

 

  • “Feel the Difference” – Ford’s strategy to focus on vehicle dynamics

  • Building a CO2 modelling system for the whole of the VW Group to predict and monitor the progress of each brand towards EU CO2 limits. This led to tangible changes in product planning.

  • Developing a CO2 engine efficiency calculator for a major German premium brand

 

He ran the company until 2014, when he was approached to become an R&D Specialist for the Automotive Team at the Department for International Trade.

From 2014 to 2021, he worked with UK automotive technology companies to develop their international markets in three key areas: low carbon propulsion, lightweight vehicle structures, and connected and automated vehicles. He also helped overseas suppliers to grow their UK R&D operations, and forges links between UK and overseas companies.

He has now returned to Spyder Redspy, where he works with many of the companies he assisted at DIT. He has helped a number of UK automotive companies to develop overseas partnerships, and has also become a leading advisor on grant funding bids.

He has led on 10 Innovate UK funding bids, with a total value of over £25 million.