Chris Harrison, one of the best-known names and faces in proving ground operations and events has joined Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground as business development manager to help expand the company’s work, particularly in the events, tyre and defence sectors.
Chris, 46, from Rugby, spent a total of 23 years at nearby MIRA, where he started on the proving ground and rose to become operations supervisor before transferring to the company’s sales and marketing team where he specialised in winning defence contracts. Over a period of six years he helped to significantly increase business in that sector.
“I’m now looking forward to doing the same at Bruntingthorpe,” said Chris. “And I’m particularly looking forward to working with Paul Atkin who became general manager of business development here at Bruntingthorpe just over a year ago. We worked together for six years when he headed the sales and marketing team at MIRA.
“Because I already knew of Bruntingthorpe, I’ll be able to quickly get up to speed with the challenges of increasing Bruntingthorpe’s activities for all sectors of the industry as well as for events, tyre and defence customers.
“I feel that Bruntingthorpe – and its capabilities – are possibly one of the world’s
best-kept secrets. That’s hardly surprising for a former USAF Cold War air base surrounded by the highest security imaginable! But our aim is to spread the word about our facilities and resources and, of course, Bruntingthorpe’s extremely competitive pricing. In today’s difficult economic climate, cost-effective R&D will be even more important to both private and public-sector customers. What’s more, Bruntingthorpe’s top level of security still exists and that, for many customers, is vital.”
David Walton, managing director of Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, said Chris would bring additional strength to the team. “His experience and contacts with so many important players in the industry will help us to expand our core business activities.”
Chris Harrison, business development manager, Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground
About Bruntingthorpe
Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground and Airfield is a private, family-owned company employing almost 100 people. With an annual turnover in excess of £6 million it is a significant contributor to the economy, both locally and nationally. The 670-acre former WW2 RAF airfield and Cold War USAF base boasts a 60-metre wide, 3.22km (2-mile) runway that is still operational. This makes Bruntingthorpe one of the few vehicle proving grounds and engineering centres in the world able to receive visitors in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft (up to the size of the Airbus A380).
For further information, please contact:
Paul Atkin
General Manager – Business Development
Tel: +44 (0)116 279 9329
Email: paul.atkin@bruntingthorpe.com
Website: www.bruntingthorpe.com
