David Willoughby
Mech Eng graduate from Brunel University, with 18+ years of experience in Product Development and Consultative roles across the Automotive and Technology Industries. Recently exited as Vice President Product Development at Lysanda Ltd.
| Headline: | Entrepreneur |
| Work status: | On Sabbatical |
| Industries: | Cleantech, Information Technology |
| Skills: | Business, Design, Engineering, English, Entrepreneurship, Investment, Languages, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Product design, Recruitment, Writing |
| Location: | London |
| Interested in: | Advising startups, Brainstorming, Consulting opportunities, Employment opportunities, Finding business partners, Finding cofounders, Finding experts, Finding team mates, Giving back, Helping friends, Helping members of my groups, Joining a startup, Learning about entrepreneurship, Meeting new people, Mentoring, Offering Expertise, Patenting my idea, Professional opportunities, Providing services to startups, Raising money, Shadowing, Sharing my projects, Starting a company |
| Tags: | automotive, clean tech, product development |
| Schools: | Brunel University |
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | Lysanda Ltd |
| Position: | Vice President Product Development; Operations Director |
| Time period: | March 2007 - Present |
| Description: | Clean-Tech start up company developing innovative vehicle emissions monitoring system for fleet users (www.Lysanda.com)
Vice President Product Development – Responsible to the Board for the Product Development strategy, and for delivery of the product in line with the business objectives. • Recruited and established in-house software and platform development team (six people) with a variety of software and hardware development skills at different levels. • Developed and implemented platform product strategy. • Managed the product development process from concept to customer roll-out using a combination of in-house and third party resource. • Actively supported sales activities resulting in early revenue from product trials for a number of blue-chip organisations with a potential sales revenue of >£5m. • Built the technical side of the business in support of company growth from ~£500k net worth to ~£5M, and from 3 people to 16. Operations Director – As part of the founding team, collaborated in the establishment of the company as a going concern, with particular responsibility for the Product Development activities, and the IT and communications facilities. • Co-founded Lysanda Ltd; a ‘green-tech’ start-up company with seed funding from private investors. • Oversaw company operations during start-up phase including Product Development and company IT systems implementation. • Delivered Proof of Concept product on time and under budget using third party technical service companies. • Key team member in successful Angel and VC funding rounds, raising ~£2M by demonstrating technical competence. |
| Employer: | Arrk Technical Services Ltd |
| Position: | Engineering/Strategy Manager |
| Time period: | August 2001 - March 2007 |
| Description: | (Previously known as MSX International) Engineering and Design services provider to the automotive industry.
Manager – Simulation And Analysis Team – Led a team of eighteen direct reports at a number of in-house and off-site (client) locations. Day to day management of commercial and resource issues, project management and quality assurance. Engineering Manager – Achievement in this role – • Generated internal investment for first stage development of innovative business model experiment, and delivered the initial product. Successfully delivered a number of small to medium sized technical projects across diverse product ranges from electronics to consumer products and vehicle development projects. Structured and resourced cross disciplinary project teams including budget setting, technical direction, monitoring and guiding progress, client relationship, and project profitability. Supported Business Development team with technical expertise at client meetings, and generated business strategy for specific clients and market sectors. Program / Strategy Manager – Achievements in this role – • Delivered ~ $20M Powertrain Integration and Development program using cross-cultural multi-located resources. • Generated $1M new business from existing customers Member of the Program Steering Team for a major international client tasked with directing a whole-vehicle engineering program. Provided technical strategy and direction to drive the product from concept to production. Delivered base engine and powertrain integration systems engineering, including sourcing and managing outsourced engineering suppliers and directing the test and development program. Promoted to a broader program delivery role with responsibility to create and implement technical and commercial delivery strategies. Technical Specialist – Initially employed by MSX as a Powertrain Technical Specialist specifically for my powertrain integration and vehicle development knowledge. |
| Employer: | Roush Technologies |
| Position: | Principal Engineer |
| Time period: | August 1995 - August 2001 |
| Employer: | Nissan European Technology Centre |
| Position: | Engineer |
| Time period: | September 1991 - August 1995 |
| Employer: | Bryant Symons |
| Position: | Design / Development Engineer |
| Time period: | June 1984 - September 1987 |
| Employer: | Gestetner |
| Position: | Technician |
| Time period: | August 1978 - June 1984 |
EDUCATION
| University: | Brunel University |
| Time period: | 1986 - 1991 |
| Degree: | Mech Eng, BEng |
INFORMATION
| Hobbies: | Music, Historic Motorsport, Architecture, Philosophy and Economics |
| Memberships: | • Chartered Engineer
• Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers • Affiliate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers |
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Better Place
Better Place is working to build an electric car network, using technology available today.