Jaguar Heritage Trust Founder Member, Peter Mitchell OBE, Retires

10 March 2015

The Jaguar Heritage Trust’s founding trustee, Peter Mitchell OBE, announced his retirement at this month’s Jaguar Heritage Trust Board meeting. After 33 years on the Board of the Jaguar Heritage Trust, Peter was made the Trust’s Founder Patron.

IN BRIEF

British motor industry stalwart, Peter Mitchell OBE, to retire after sixty year career
Mitchell is made 'Founder Patron' of the Jaguar Heritage Trust

IN DETAIL

(Whitley, Coventry ‑ 10 March 2015). The Jaguar Heritage Trust's founding trustee, Peter Mitchell OBE, announced his retirement at this month's Jaguar Heritage Trust Board meeting. After 33 years on the Board of the Jaguar Heritage Trust, Peter was made the Trust's Founder Patron.

Peter embarked on his career 60 years ago, following completion of his National Service conscription with the Royal Engineers. His first job was at the Science Museum in London in 1955, where he undertook extensive training and became a Senior Curator with the National Aircraft Collection. He moved to Coventry in the late 1960s as Senior Keeper of Industry and Technology for the City of Coventry, where he met Sir William Lyons ‑ a figure that would have a major influence on Peter's life and career.

Mitchell was invited to join British Leyland in 1978 as Managing Director of the newly formed BL Heritage Ltd, to run a collection of 750 vehicles and a vast archive of the collective manufacturers brought together under British Leyland. Peter then went on to establish the British Motor Industry Trust (now the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust at Gaydon in Warwickshire), and the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust in April 1983 with the support of Sir Michael Edwards, the then Chairman of British Leyland Plc.

Peter joins Sir William Lyons' grandson, Michael Quinn, as a Patron of the Jaguar Heritage Trust. He remains Founding Patron of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust.

Now in his 80^th year, Peter has owned many classic cars and still personally restores and completes tours and rallies across Europe with his beloved Royal Automobile Club, using some of his remaining collection of vehicles, which includes a Jaguar E‑type series 3 drop‑head, a Jaguar XJS convertible and a Bristol 408 which he is currently restoring.

Jaguar Heritage Trust Chairman, John Edwards, said:

"The Jaguar Heritage Trust and Jaguar owe a huge debt of gratitude to Peter. Without his vision and foresight and tireless work over the decades it is unlikely that we would have such a unique and priceless collection of cars and such a comprehensive archive."

"We are extremely thankful and will honour Peter's work by continuing to maintain, nurture and celebrate Jaguar's glorious heritage. We look forward to Peter's continued involvement and wise counsel in his new role as our Founder Patron."

‑ ENDS ‑

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Jaguar Heritage Trust Founder Member, Peter Mitchell OBE, Retires