Ian David Foley

An engineer by profession, Ian moved to Norfolk in 1988 working for the leading automotive engineering consultancy Lotus Engineering. In 1991, Ian moved to the Lotus Formula 1 Team and was soon promoted to Head of Research & Development. In this capacity, Ian led the development of the ground-breaking computer controlled Active Suspension system which the team raced in 1992 & 1993, with drivers such as Mika Hakkinen and Johnny Herbert. Following this Ian set up Equipmake, initially as a vehicle from his own engineering consultancy.

In 2007, Ian identified the importance of the move to electrification, and upon the introduction of hybrid systems in Formula 1, he began the development of an electric hybrid system based around a novel electrically driven carbon fibre flywheel. Spinning at up to 45,000 RPM the flywheel was effectively a very high-speed and high performance electric motor. The base technology had been developed by the nuclear centrifuge company Urenco Group. As it became clear that this technology would have applications in the mainstream, as well as Formula One, Ian spun the project out and formed a new company Automotive Hybrid Power (“AHP”), together with 2 ex-Urenco Group employees. This company acquired the patents and know-how for the technology. AHP contracted Williams Grand Prix Engineering Ltd (“WF1”) initially as a customer, then WF1 became an investor and the Company was renamed Williams Hybrid Power (“WHP”), with Ian as its CEO. WHP successfully developed the technology, winning the Le Mans 24 Hour race 3 times with the Works Audi racing team and the technology was commercialised as an energy storage system for buses. Following successful bus trials, significant orders were placed for the technology and as a result of this success, Williams F1 who were by now the majority shareholder, decided to exit, selling the business to the largest engineering company in the UK, GKN Automotive. Ian then focused on the development of EV technology at Equipmake.