ZF appoints Jake Morris Site Leader for UK Research & Development Hub
ZF has appointed Jake Morris as the new Site Leader for its UK R&D Hub in Solihull, effective January 1, 2026.
- 60+
- 25+ years
What Happened
ZF Group has appointed Jake Morris as the new Site Leader for ZF Hub UK, located in Blythe Valley Business Park, Solihull. In this role, he is responsible for strategic and operational leadership of the site, which moved to its purpose-built sustainable technical center in 2021. Morris will also continue to advance ZF's Steer-by-Wire strategy globally.
“I am proud to take on this role and to lead the talented teams at the ZF Hub UK. The site has a strong legacy within both ZF and the automotive industry, with significant history of automotive technology development and testing. For instance, technologies including ZF's autonomous driving and Steer-by-Wire technologies began life at the site. I look forward to working closely with colleagues and p”
This leadership transition follows the retirement of Bal Panaser, who concludes an exceptional career spanning more than four decades in the automotive industry. Bal has been instrumental in shaping ZF's UK operations and leaves behind a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and customer-focused excellence.
Why this matters
The appointment reinforces ZF's commitment to UK innovation and operational excellence, with Morris bringing over 25 years of experience to lead a site with a 60+ year legacy of automotive technology development.
Terms in This Story
- Steer-by-Wire
- A technology that replaces mechanical steering components with electronic controls, allowing for more flexible vehicle design and advanced driver assistance.
- Autonomous driving
- Technology that enables a vehicle to operate without human input, using sensors and software.
- R&D Hub
- A research and development center focused on innovation.
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