ROLLS-ROYCE WELCOMES HRH THE PRINCESS ROYAL TO GOODWOOD FOR LANDMARK OFFICIAL VISIT – AutoMart Canada

• Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal made her first official
  visit to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood
• Visit included full tour of the marque’s Global Centre of Luxury
  Manufacturing Excellence
• Briefed on the company’s extension project currently in progress
  and future development plans
• Commemorative plaque unveiled to mark the occasion

“We’re honoured to welcome The Princess Royal to the Home of
Rolls-Royce as part of our 120^th anniversary celebrations
this year. Her Royal Highness makes her first visit to Goodwood at a
pivotal moment in our history, as we embark on the biggest
investment in our manufacturing facilities and capabilities since we
began building motor cars here in 2003. Through meetings with a
broad range of colleagues – including world-class craftspeople and
the new generation of talent represented by our apprentices – we
were delighted to have the opportunity to show The Princess who we
are, what we do and our immense contribution to the local, regional
and national economies. We’re proud to continue the relationship
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has enjoyed with the Royal Family over many decades.”

Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars welcomed Her Royal Highness
The Princess Royal to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood for her
first official visit, as part of the marque’s 120^th
anniversary celebrations.

The Princess Royal was joined by dignitaries, including: the
Vice Lord-Lieutenant for West Sussex, Sir Richard Kleinwort, Bt., DL;
the High Sheriff, Mrs Philippa Gogarty; the Chair of West Sussex
County Council, Councillor Pieter Montyn; the Chair of Chichester
District Council, Councillor Clare Apel; and Jess Brown-Fuller, Member
of Parliament for Chichester.

Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, introduced members of the
Rolls-Royce Board including the Directors of Finance, Manufacturing,
Sales and Brand, Global Communications and Human Resources, before
conducting Her Royal Highness on a tour of the plant. The tour took in
key behind-the-scenes areas including the Surface Finish Centre,
Bespoke & Starlight Headliner department, Assembly, Interior Trim
and Interior Surface Centres and the Test & Finish facility. At
each stop, The Princess Royal met managers, associates and
apprentices, who explained how their materials, processes and craft
skills contribute to creating what is widely known as ‘the best car in
the world’.

The CEO and Director of Manufacturing then briefed Her Royal
Highness on the site extension project now underway on land adjacent
to the marque’s existing plant and global headquarters. Chris
Brownridge explained that this represents the first major change to
the physical footprint and facilities at the Home of Rolls-Royce since
it opened in 2003.

The project is crucial to the company’s long-term sustainability
and prosperity. More than 2,500 people work at the Home of
Rolls-Royce, at Goodwood, and the company supports more than 7,500
jobs in its wider supply chain. A 2023 study by the London School of
Economics found that Rolls-Royce contributes more than half a billion
pounds to the UK economy every year, with a fifth generated locally in
Chichester and West Sussex.

Attended by an audience of Rolls-Royce associates, Her Royal
Highness unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit and signed the
Visitors’ Book.