Nissan has announced the early retirement of Ian Milburn CBE, deputy managing director of its European technology centre based in Cranfield, UK. He will leave at the end of the month.

Mr Milburn joined the Nissan Technology Centre Europe in February 1990 soon after its start up and, as one of the company's 'founding fathers', played a significant role in establishing its infrastructure and the foundation for its future as Nissan's design company in Europe.

Mr Milburn has been a regular contributor to numerous Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) activities, as well as being a member of several automotive engineering committees and regional development bodies.

He said: "I'm proud that NTCE has achieved such a high reputation for design quality and efficiency, especially knowing that our most exciting designs are yet to come." An announcement regarding NTCE's organisational structure will be made in the coming weeks.