BMW targets designers in recruitment drive

BMW is to launch a recruitment drive for a variety of design suppliers once planning permission has been granted for its proposed motor plant in west Sussex.

BMW is looking for groups that can offer design services in product and engineering disciplines.

Designers could be recruited from the worldwide BMW group, Rolls Royce and the design industry, according to a BMW spokesman. Recruitment is expected to start as soon as planning permission is granted.

BMW has submitted an application to build a motor plant underground near Goodwood racecourse, offering a bespoke design service. A decision is expected in the spring.

The £60m plant will build a new generation of Rolls Royce cars and at least 350 jobs will be created. It is unclear how many of these will be within the design department.

As part of the Rolls Royce car-design process, work could be handed to outside consultancies, including those in the UK, to produce, for example, a design solution for tyres.

Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners is the appointed architect. It has drawn up plans for the plant and its work will also include interior design.

The proposal is for a “complete manufacturing plant and not merely an assembly line”, says a BMW spokesman.

The plant will include a research and development department, which will incorporate the design facility and will have an initial staff of about 30.