He followed this with a transfer to GM Truck and Bus Division in the USA and graduated at General Motors Institute located in Flint, Michigan. On return to the UK Arthur specialised in engine and vehicle assembly and, latterly, in European component supplier sourcing.

In 1985 Arthur was one of the first managers to be recruited by Nissan at their greenfield site in Sunderland responsible for the planning of Quality Assurance matters relating to vehicle production and, in particular, component supplier development.

In July 1995, against a background of a need to improve the competitiveness of the UK automotive supply industry in general, Arthur was invited to work with the British Government’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as senior industry advisor. From this work SMMT Industry Forum was established.

Arthur has over 30 years direct manufacturing experience in the automotive industry of UK, USA and Japan. His work has allowed him to conduct extensive research into quality and productivity improvements with some of the most advanced practitioners in the world. These skills have been used to help many companies introduce their own improvement programmes.

Arthur was appointed Director of SMMT Industry Forum in December 1996.