Formula One expert and sports chief team up for Welsh business

More Information

A Formula One industry expert will share lessons from the high-speed, high-pressure world of motor sport in a special talk to Welsh business leaders next month.

Mark Gallagher, now Chief Executive of Status Grand Prix, will join Sport Wales chair, Professor Laura McAllister at The Challenge, organised by Leadership & Management Wales (LMW).

They will explain how team-working can deliver performance in the most demanding environments, when they speak at the Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel, Coychurch, Bridgend on 9 February and at The Quay Hotel and Spa in Deganwy, Conwy the next day.

While on the management board of the Jordan Grand Prix F1 team, famously described by TV commentator Murray Walker as the most motivated team in the sport, Mr Gallagher was dubbed 'head of making things happen' by the media. He has since headed commercial affairs for Jaguar/Red Bull Racing and run the Cosworth F1 business for the past two seasons.

"F1 is an industry where world class engineering allied to extraordinary team work and on-time delivery are essential," Mr Gallagher explained. "Each team is an engineering company, designing and delivering a high-end technology product and working to immoveable deadlines in a demanding commercial environment. I believe there are lessons for all types of businesses in Wales."

In his talk, Mr Gallagher will provide insights into this fascinating industry and use anecdotes from his 30 years in international motor sport to explain how managers tackle challenges such as motivating the 85% of F1 personnel who simply work in an engineering business and not at glamorous race tracks around the world.

Professor Laura McAllister, who is also professor of governance at the University of Liverpool's School of Management, will provide theoretical background to team-working and how it benefits organisations of all types.

"Sport provides some excellent examples of how teams need to be effectively led and managed," said Leadership & Management Wales director, Dr Barrie Kennard.

"The high-intensity worlds of motor racing and other high-profile sports will give us valuable lessons to take back to workplaces around Wales."

The Challenge series features free half-day events, organised by LMW, consisting of cutting-edge talks and high-level networking, designed to challenge the way business people think, lead and manage.

The Challenge provides a unique opportunity to meet, question and learn from some of today's top business brains in a forum designed to help personal and organisational development.

Each event ends with a networking lunch. Places are free, but numbers are limited. To book a place, please visit www.lmw.org.uk or phone LMW on 029 2087 5062.

Leadership & Management Wales is the centre for excellence for leadership and management skills in Wales, funded by the Welsh Government and European Social Fund, to benefit businesses of all sizes and sectors across Wales.

It is run by a consortium, led by Cardiff Business School, and including Aberystwyth University, Glyndwr University and Tattum Guest Associates Ltd.