Morgan boss looks to the future

Morgan boss Steve Morris admits he is “keen to move on” from the furore that has resulted in the dismissal of Charles Morgan, grandson of the 103-year-old company’s founder.

Speaking exclusively to Autocar this morning he refused “to become publicly involved in the minutiae” of his board’s controversial decision, which is believed to have been made on disciplinary grounds.

When his appeal against dismissal was yesterday refused by the Morgan board, it was suggested that Charles Morgan’s next move might be to take his family company to an industrial tribunal, or to use his existing 30 per cent interest in the company to lead a buyout. Morris won’t speculate on either possibility: “This whole affair has been very difficult,” he says. “The important thing is we have a very successful sports car business with 180 employees.

"I believe it’s in everyone’s interest that we continue to operate it as efficiently as possible. What Charles chooses to do with his share of the company is his own affair.”

Morris says the priority for Morgan Technologies — the holding company since a group structure was introduced about a year ago — is to concentrate on preparing for a global dealer meeting on 25/26 November, at which a five-year plan for the marque will be revealed. However, he has already said “major expansion” is not on the agenda, and that there are no immediate plans for new models, which appears to contradict Charles Morgan’s recent assertions that “modernisation” is what the company needs.

“We don’t need massive growth and we don’t want to overstretch the company,” says Morris. “Selling sports cars as you’re going into winter isn’t easy in the UK and northern Europe, so at times like this we look to our markets further afield, which are doing well. Everything’s healthy here.

"We have the orders we need, and build levels are where we want them.” Might Charles Morgan yet heal his rift with the board and take a role in Morgan’s future? Perhaps at the global dealer gathering? Morris stops short of declaring this impossible. “It’s unlikely,” he says.