UK motorsport gets its Barron

. The panel was set up to look at the issues facing the UK industry which employs over 40,000 people in the UK and to ensure that it maintains its global leadership position. Patricia Hewitt said, on announcing his appointment: "I am pleased that Paul will co- chair with me the Motorsport Competitiveness Panel, comprising 15 key representatives from the industry. He has a wealth of engineering industry experience to bring to this role and he will also provide an independent view to draw together the interests of the industry and the sport. "The panel, supported by working groups, will bring together the industry, sport and Government on a regular basis to develop a long-term partnership programme to sustain and strengthen the UK's leading position in motorsport. "The working groups will enable a wide range of organisations to input recommendations for consideration to the panel and will have a flexible and open membership, with industry, Government and sport representatives taking part as required. They will meet with the panel every two months for the next year to build on and combine existing activities into a joined-up, long term strategy."