David Keene MBE, Chief Executive Officer of Aurrigo International, has been named Ambassador of the Year at the Business Desk West Midlands Awards.
Aurrigo International is based in Coventry and manufactures autonomous ground support equipment (GSE), such as the Auto-DollyTug, Auto-Cargo, and Auto-Shuttle vehicles. The solutions are deployed at eight airports around the world.
Keene was selected for the award for “putting the region on the international map,” in addition to employing 120 team members in the local area. He has also spent over 100 hours volunteering his expertise to the UK Automotive Council, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and universities.
“The West Midlands is a region I call home and I’m passionate about the manufacturing talent and innovation we have there. That’s why Aurrigo will always have its nerve centre in the region, despite our ambitious plans to open international hubs in North America, the Middle East, Asia and, closer to home, in Europe. There was so much talent in the room that I feel very humbled to have been selected as Ambassador of the Year. You’ve got my word that I’ll be shouting even louder for our fantastic area on the world stage,” said Keene.
Keene was awarded his MBE by Prince William for the decarbonisation of airports, due to Aurrigo’s vehicles and solutions reducing carbon emissions by 60% in comparison to diesel tugs.
“We have so much innovation in the UK, yet we seem to sometimes lack the confidence and backing required to commercialise new technology. That’s something I’d really like to see change and something I’ll be advocating for in my day role and as Business Desk’s Ambassador of the Year,” added Keene.
Photo: Aurrigo International
