Former Senior GM Executive Joins Ricardo in Key U.S. Role

A significant strengthening of the senior management team of Ricardo plc was announced today with the appointment of Dean Harlow as President of the company's North American subsidiary, Ricardo, Inc.

VAN BUREN TWP., Mich., May 16 -- Dean Harlow will bring considerable automotive industry experience to his new role with Ricardo. Before founding his own successful automotive consulting business in 2006, he spent over 20 years with General Motors in a variety of capacities, including engineering, finance, planning and corporate / business development (mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, joint ventures and technology licenses). His most recent GM position was as director, global planning for GM Powertrain, where amongst other achievements he led GM's first global hybrid program and negotiated a major transmission deal with Ford. Prior to GM Powertrain, he served as executive-in-charge of new business development for GM's corporate eCommerce Group, where he developed and implemented strategic alliances with AOL, NetZero, Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds. Harlow has significant experience in Asian markets having lived in Beijing and Shanghai, China from 1996 to 2000 and serving as GM China vice president of new business development, chief technology officer and planning director. While there, he led a number of major strategic initiatives that contributed to GM's leadership in that market including an innovative small car entry strategy and putting GM into the mini-vehicle business with Wuling Automotive.

Dean Harlow was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from GMI (now Kettering University) and also a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Harlow takes over from Jeremy Holt as President of Ricardo, Inc. with immediate effect and will report directly to Dave Shemmans, chief executive officer of Ricardo plc.

Commenting on this key senior management appointment, Dave Shemmans said: "The North American market is of crucial importance to Ricardo plc and it is essential therefore that we can attract the very best talent to the senior team of our U.S. subsidiary, Ricardo, Inc. Dean Harlow brings with him a wealth of international auto industry experience in both North America and Asia, together with a deep knowledge of the latest developments in powertrain technology and the type of entrepreneurial spirit capable of taking Ricardo to the next level in this key market. I am confident that he will rise to the challenge of delivering our strategic business objectives for the America's, while improving the return to Ricardo's shareholders."