McLaren wins European Award for Innovation Leadership

McLaren has received a prestigious award at the first annual European Awards for Innovation Leadership.


Peter van Manen, Managing Director of McLaren Electronic Systems (MESL), was presented with the High Performance Innovation Award at a ceremony held at Trinity College, Dublin.


The award was given in recognition of MESL’s years of innovation of electronics and software for high impact industries.  MESL is the Official ECU (Engine Control Unit) Supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship, NASCAR Sprint Cup and IZOD IndyCar series.  The company also supplies control and data systems to the automotive, aerospace, transport and healthcare markets. 


Other recipients of the awards included Professor Stephen Hawking, who received the Innovator’s Courage Award. Those receiving the Awards became the inaugural members of the European Innovation Luminary Academy.


The Innovation Luminary Academy and Awards have been established by the EU Open Innovation Strategy and Policy Group (OISPG) to celebrate and recognise outstanding innovation role models and, through this, to inspire the next generation of innovators.


The Academy was initiated with the support and sponsorship of Intel Labs Europe, DG Connect, European Commission, and Dublin City; and was established in association with the Innovation Value Institute and the International Society for Professional Innovation Management.



Discussing the award, Peter van Manen, Managing Director of McLaren Electronic Systems said: “McLaren has innovation in its DNA.  We recognised the potential of high performance electronics in motorsport over 20 years ago and now apply that know-how to racing teams and engine makers across the world.  


We are also translating knowledge and technology to other sectors to help sick children, improve public transport systems and much more.  I am hugely proud to receive this award on behalf of all my colleagues at McLaren and I hope that together the members of the Innovation Luminary Academy can serve to inspire future generations of innovators.” 


Introducing the awards, President of the EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said: “I am very excited to see the quality of the nominees this year and am sure that the Innovation Luminary Awards will fast become a hallmark for celebrating and encouraging innovation achievement”.



Inaugural Innovation Luminary award winners:


Serial Entrepreneurship
Professor Alexander von Gabain (DE) – Chairman,  European Institute of Innovation &Technology & Chairman, IntelCell AG



High Performance Innovation
Peter van Manen (UK) – Managing Director, McLaren Electronic Systems



Innovator’s Courage
Professor Stephen Hawking (UK)



Innovation Courage
Felix Baumgartner (Au) - RedBull Stratos



Business Model Innovation
Alexander Osterwalder  (CH) – Inventor of the Business Model Canvas & Best Selling Author



Ami de L’Europe - 21st Century Industrial Innovation
Justin Rattner (USA) – Intel Chief Technology Officer



Creative Innovation
Rovio (FI)  Mikael Hed, CEO



Innovation Thought Leadership
Professor Leif Edvinsson (SE) – New Club of Paris, University of Lund.
 


About McLaren Electronic Systems Limited


Founded in 1989 as TAG Electronic Systems, this part of the McLaren Group makes the impossible possible: creating cutting-edge control electronics that perform at the highest level in the extreme environment of professional motor racing.


McLaren Electronic Systems is the official engine control unit (ECU) supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship.  These ECUs control the engine, gearbox and chassis of every car on the grid and provide real-time data analysis and telemetry for all competing teams. Their range of high-performance sensors generates the rich flow of data which the teams use to optimise their performance.


The company is also the official ECU supplier for NASCAR, which races 43 cars every weekend between February and November.  NASCAR is the fastest growing sport in the USA with over 80 million viewers every year.  McLaren Electronic Systems is also the sole ECU supplier to the IZOD IndyCar® Series which includes the iconic Indy 500 race.


An ability to fast-track development, and make every product robust, has enabled McLaren Electronic Systems to target adjacent markets, including high-end automotive, railway, aerospace and defence applications.  This is placing the company at the forefront of the UK’s drive to become a global leader in the ever growing high-technology industry.



Matt Bishop     ,Ben Heatley-