LIFT’s Kevin Kerrigan Honored by Queen Elizabeth II

Kevin Kerrigan, vice president of business development at LIFT, was recently honored by Queen Elizabeth II with an appointment to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The announcement came in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List published on December 31.

The MBE, or Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, is awarded for an outstanding achievement of service to the community, which has had long-term, significant impact. Kerrigan was awarded his MBE for services to the UK Automotive Industry in the United States of America.

Instituted in 1917 by King George V to reward outstanding contribution to the war effort, this Order now rewards people from all walks of life with well-known honors such as MBEs and OBEs (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).

“I am very grateful for this prestigious appointment and for those who contributed, including all the individuals that I have worked with in the automotive industry, both in the United States and the United Kingdom,” Kerrigan said. “I would like to express my extreme gratitude to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and a special thanks to Josh Williams and his team at the U.K.’s Department of International Trade in Chicago and Michael Talbot at the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles in London, England. Much appreciation is felt for all of those who sent their heartfelt congratulations from all over the world at this special time in my life. Happy New Year!”

Prior to joining LIFT in 2019, Kevin served as Senior Vice President, Automotive Office, and the Senior Automotive Adviser to the State of Michigan with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, where he focused on international business development for the MEDC’s Automotive Office.  Working with the world’s automotive manufacturers he is promoting Michigan’s automotive industry, building, and maintaining strong international client relationships, nurturing economic development, and assisting foreign based companies who choose Michigan for their future expansion.

Before to working with the MEDC, Kevin led his own automotive design and engineering company for 20 years and has worked at an executive level for Tier 1 automotive suppliers.

In the future, Kevin will attend an “investiture” ceremony at a royal residence where the Queen, or sometimes Prince Charles, Prince William, or Princess Anne, will award the honor with their insignia – a medal – of the order.