Joking apart: -
Chairman and CEO, McLaren Group
Ron Dennis, Chairman and CEO, Mc Claren Group, was born 1st June 1947, began his career in motor racing in 1966 with the Cooper Racing Car Company. He moved to join the Brabham Racing team and by 1968 he had been appointed to the position of Chief Mechanic to Sir Jack Brabham. Three years later Ron launched his own company, Rondel Racing, and during the 1970s he ran a succession of highly successful teams, concentrating on the F2 and Procar Championships. In 1980, Ron’s company Project Four merged with Team McLaren Limited to form McLaren Racing. This was to be the catalyst for the success and diversification that McLaren has enjoyed to date.
Since 1980, McLaren has won seven Constructors' World Championships and has claimed the Drivers’ World Championship on nine occasions. In 1989 Ron co-founded McLaren Cars, which designed and manufactured the revolutionary F1 road car and is now working in collaboration with DaimlerChrysler on the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren sports car project.
The McLaren Group has continued to grow and diversify and currently encompasses McLaren Automotive Ltd, McLaren Electronic Systems, McLaren Marketing, McLaren Applied Technologies, Absolute Taste and Lydden Circuit, all in addition to the flagship, McLaren Racing’s Team McLaren Mercedes Formula One team.
During the year 2000 Ron, who lives in Surrey with his wife and three children was honoured with a CBE for services to motorsport. In 2001 Ron was presented with a BRDC Gold Medal in recognition for his contribution to motorsport. Ron was also awarded with an Hon DTech from De Montford University in 1996, an Hon DSc from City University, London, in 1997 and, in 2000, an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University of Surrey.
