Sir James Dyson, the renowned innovator and founder of Dyson Ltd., has appointed Hanno Kirner, a veteran in the car industry, as the new Chief of his gadget empire. This move comes after Dyson’s failed attempt to build an electric vehicle, which cost him £500 million.
Before joining Dyson, Kirner held executive positions at esteemed car manufacturers such as Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, and Aston Martin. Notably, he led the battery program at Tata Group, the parent company of Jaguar Land Rover, and played a significant role in the conglomerate’s plans to build a gigafactory in the UK.
Kirner’s appointment is timely as Dyson is heavily investing in batteries. The company has announced its plans to build a next-generation factory in Singapore, dedicated to producing lighter and longer-lasting devices by manufacturing its own cells. Dyson envisions doubling its portfolio of products and venturing into new fields by 2025, expanding its reach beyond the home.
Sir James Dyson expressed his confidence in Kirner, stating that he brings extensive experience across multiple industries to the table. Kirner’s previous roles include serving as JLR’s Corporate and Strategy Director, where he expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of a hard Brexit on the company’s business.
In his past career, Kirner also held positions as the Chief Financial Officer of Rolls-Royce’s land and sea division, the Chief Financial Officer of Aston Martin, and a Finance Director at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
Roland Krueger, Dyson’s current CEO, will transition to a board role once Kirner joins the company. Krueger assumed the role after Dyson abandoned the electric vehicle project and has since focused on expanding Dyson’s range of beauty technology products such as hairdryers and straighteners. The company has also committed to establishing an artificial intelligence facility in Bristol.
Sir James Dyson acknowledged Krueger’s exceptional leadership during challenging times for the company and praised his successful transformation of operations and the establishment of a strong team, which will serve as the foundation for Dyson’s next steps.
Overall, the appointment of Hanno Kirner as the new Chief of Dyson’s gadget empire demonstrates Dyson’s commitment to advancing battery technology and expanding its product range. With Kirner’s wealth of experience and expertise, Dyson aims to continue innovating and maintaining its position as a global leader in the technology industry.
