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When John Egan arrived at Jaguar Cars in April 1980, newly appointed as Chief Executive, the company's very survival was in grave doubt. In fact, the situation looked utterly hopeless.
Not only was the once-proud Jaguar company a part of the catastrophic British Leyland conglomerate but he was greeted at the gates by the workforce – on strike!
The odds against saving Jaguar were immense. Quality was appalling, the workforce bitter, the management disillusioned and any profits had been sucked out by BL to stem its mounting losses. The Labour Government had introduced the 'closed shop', giving the unions and their despotic militant shop stewards immense power.
Sir John will tell the story of how he gradually overcame the odds and, piece by piece, rebuilt this great company, winning over the workforce, the overseas dealers and, most important of all, the customers. Working with Margaret Thatcher and her Government, Egan and his team overcame every obstacle, every set-back, every challenge.
Again and again, it looked impossible. Yet using innovative techniques, intelligence, eloquence, openness, motor racing and much more, they saved this most charismatic company which has created some of the finest and most loved motor cars of all time.
It is an amazing story that will appeal equally to enthusiasts and those in business.
