Management Team
Lawrence Berns - Chief Executive Officer
Lawrence is currently Chief Executive Officer of Axeon. Lawrence is a senior management professional with over 28 years’ experience within the worldwide automotive and technology industries, holding key positions in Europe, the USA and Asia within both automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 multinationals, including ArvinMeritor, ITW, Hella and GM.
Lawrence holds a BSc in mechanical engineering, an MBA and is a member of the Institute of Industrial Management. Lawrence is a partner in 3PPartners (a lean, 6 sigma and culture change management company) and Managing Director of Barnbrook Berns (a strategic business planning consultancy).
Robert Denton - Chief Financial Officer
Robert has a strong track record as Finance Director for a range of both public and private companies, particularly in business strategic planning and financial forecasting and management. His experience includes global business development and strategic partnering overseas.
Robert has a BA in Economics, Accounting and Financial Management from Sheffield University, and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Jim Ferguson - Group Chief Operating Officer
Jim joined Axeon from Sanmina-SCI, where he was Senior Vice-President in charge of their European Enclosures Systems business. He was previously in management positions in Motorola, Digital Equipment and IBM. Jim is responsible for all manufacturing, logistics and supply chain operations within the company, with regard to both existing and planned locations.
Jim holds an MA degree from Glasgow University, and Post-Graduate qualification in Industrial Administration from Glasgow Caledonian University, specializing in Operations Management.
Don Newton - Group Technical Director
Don’s role at Axeon is to lead the technology development of the new generation of EV and HEV batteries. He joined Axeon from Delphi Diesel Systems where he was Chief Electronics Engineer responsible for all aspects of Diesel Fuel Injection Electronics Engineering. He was previously Director of Electronics at Ricardo Consulting Engineers and prior to this he held senior Electronics management positions with Motorola Automotive and Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Don holds an MSc in Electronics from Cranfield University and an MBA from the University of Warwick. He is currently a member of the UK's Automotive Technology Council.
Paul Knaapen - Business Unit Director
Paul joined Axeon from voestalpine Polynorm Plastics where he was Managing Director, responsible for their sites in Roosendaal in the Netherlands and St Helens in the UK. Prior to this position he held several senior management positions at ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems in Europe, mainly in sales, engineering and programme management. Paul has a rich experience in the automotive business and he will lead the continental European team for the power tool and mobile business.
Paul holds a BSc in marine engineering and an MBA from the Webster University in St Louis, Missouri USA.