Historic British sports car maker Morgan faces backlash after ousting the founder's final family member from the board

 Sleek: The firm is known for its distinctive-looking sports cars such as this one
The flamboyant former boss of British sports car maker Morgan has been ousted from the board of the company which has borne his family name for more than a century.


Charles Morgan, grandson of the company’s founder, vowed to fight his removal – just as employees at its factory staged an online revolt in support of him.
Mr Morgan, 62, stepped down as managing director seven months ago but retained the post of ‘ambassador’ for the historic firm. Now, however, new MD Steve Morris has announced that he would no longer have a role at all.

On your bike: Charles Morgan, pictured today leaving a conference, has been ousted from the board of the car company that bears his family name

Sacked: Mr Morgan, left, was removed from Morgan Motor Company, founded by his grandfather Henry, right

One Morgan employee tweeted: ‘We can't believe the company is not being run by a Morgan family member.

 

‘It's probably not best to name individuals on this account but the general feel around the factory is we would like Charles Morgan back’.
Another supporter tweeted: ‘Can't see how the current management team can be better placed than Charles Morgan to lead the organisation.’
Mr Morgan replied: ’Thanks from the depth of my heart. You are the lifeblood of the company and must be treated with the respect that you deserve.
‘Every one of you make Morgan a great company and great cars, never forget that.’

Marque of distinction: Traditional styling is a feature of Morgan cars

Origins: The first vehicle made by Morgan was the Morgan Three-Wheeler, an early version of the car

Backed by workers: Charles Morgan with his wife Kiera

The firm said in a statement today: 'Further to decisions taken in January of this year, Morgan Technologies is now in a position to announce that Charles Morgan is no longer part of the management team or board of directors of the company.
'Over recent months, and in response to the growth in volumes, model range and overseas markets, the company structure has been strengthened across a number of different areas. This reflects the scale and complexity of an increasingly global business.
'While these are significant developments for the company, the Morgan family, directors and management team look forward to sharing more news with the wider Morgan community in the near future.

'These changes will help cultivate an exciting future for Morgan which continues to reinforce the unique attributes of the brand.'

Unconventional: The Morgan 3 Wheeler, released in 2011

Roadster: This black Morgan was manufactured in 2008

Futurist: Charles Morgan poses with the Morgan AeroMax in 2006

Classic: A Morgan car being worked on in 1986

Vintage: This red Morgan shows the company's classic styling

Old-school: An enthusiast poses in his restored 1927 Morgan 3 Wheeler

Way back: Morgan began with models looking more like these

The statement went on: 'The Morgan family recognises the management contribution that Charles has made to the family business as strategy director, and confirm that he remains a shareholder.
‘However, to ensure continuing success, Morgan must look to strengthen and review its strategies, and acknowledge that our management team are better placed to steer the company in the future.'
But Mr Morgan hit back and told motoring magazine Autocar that he is appealing against the decision.
He added: 'As a family member I think I should have been consulted about this press release because it suggests that it comes from all of the family shareholders.

'It fails to explain what the decisions were back in January. It confuses growth in volumes with growth in sales and doesn't suggest whether we are responding to either. And it also suggests that I resisted overseas markets and global expansion when I was the one going abroad.'

Industry: Sports cars on the production line in Morgan's factory

Classic: The company is one of the oldest car makers in Britain, having been founded in 1910

Revolution: The firm sacked Mr Morgan as it attempts to expand in new directions

Battle: Charles Morgan, pictured driving one of the company's cars, has vowed to reclaim his position

Morgan was run by Henry Morgan until his death aged 77 in 1959. Charles Morgan's father Peter then took over until he was replaced as chairman by Alan Garnett from 2003 to 2006.
Charles Morgan then became part of a four-man management team , becoming managing director in 2010.
Morgan, based at Malvern in Worcestershire, is on course to sell a record-breaking 1,200 cars this year. 'The company is in a good place,' said a Morgan spokesman.

SETTING THE WHEELS OF A DYNASTY IN MOTION: MORGAN MOTORS

1881: Morgan car founder Henry ('Harry') Fredrick Stanley Morgan is born in the village of Moreton Jeffries, Herefordshire.
1905-6: After training as an engineer, Harry opens two car garages. He soon has ideas about making his own motor car design.
1909: Makes prototype of his first car, the Morgan Three-Wheeler 'runabout' - with a 7hp Peugeot V-twin engine.
1910: Establishes Morgan Motor Company. Runabout unveiled at Olympia motorcycle show.
1911: Two-seater version proves a huge commercial success.

Pioneer: The company helped popularise motor vehicles in the early days of the combustion engine

1912: Morgan Motor Company is formed as a private limited company with the Reverend H.G. Morgan (Harry's father) as chairman and his son as managing director.
1912-14: Morgans secure a number of British and World records for various classes of cyclecars.
1914: Site of present factory, the 'Works' in Malvern Link, Worcs, is built.
1920s: Continued success for Morgan in racing, with arrival of Super Aero with streamlined body.   
1933: Advent of a new model - the F-type, fitted with a Ford engine. The first production F-type was a four-seat family tourer called the F4, followed soon after by the F2, a two-seater version.
1936: A four-wheeler is shown at the London and Paris Exhibitions - the Morgan 4-4, another huge success. The same year, Harry's father dies peacefully at home. Harry becomes chairman and governing director, with his wife Ruth Morgan among those on the board.
1939-45: Car production stops during WWII.
1947: Harry's son, Peter Morgan, joins firm as development engineer and draughtsman.
1953: Last three-wheeler leaves factory.
1959: Harry Morgan dies. Peter (father of Charles Morgan) takes over as company chief.   
1960s: Introduction of the Morgan Plus 4 Plus and Morgan Plus Eight.
1970s: Further sporting victories at various racing championships.
1985: Charles Morgan joins the company, working alongside his father.
1989: New Plus Eight crowned fastest car ever tested in fifth gear, by German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport.
2002: At LeMans, Morgan hits the road with new car, the Aero 8 GT. Fails to finish due to engine failure but has slightly better luck in 2004, winning a technical prize for the team.
2002-2009: During its production lifetime, the Aero is configured in five official versions, (I,II, III, IV and the Aero America) with variations in styling, engines, transmissions, braking and suspension.
2003-2006: Peter Morgan is replaced as chairman by Alan Garnett. Charles Morgan is part of a four-man management team, becoming managing director in 2010.

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