John Steele to step back after a lifetime in motorsport

MIA member M-Sport have shared the following news.

After thirty-eight years of dedicated service to M-Sport, Commercial Director John Steele has made the decision to step down from his day-to-day role in the company. The move will allow him to spend more time with his family.

John’s departure will see the introduction of a new leadership team, of which he will continue to assist in an advisory role.

As Malcolm Wilson’s longest serving employee, John joined forces with the two-time British National Champion in 1985 and was by his side for every success that followed: Wilson’s British International title in 1994, the acquisition of the Ford contract in 1996 and seven FIA World Rally Championship titles across 2006, 2007, 2017 and 2018.

John has overseen employee numbers grow from just four in 1985 to more than 250 pre-pandemic. He has been a constant lead as the company navigated the past four decades – diversifying with the times and emerging as an industry leader with knowledge and experience across a wide range of disciplines.

From rallying to racing, combustion to hybrid, and the completion of a multi-million pound Evaluation Centre, John has been instrumental in the creation of a company which has constantly evolved and strengthened its capabilities. He is a true professional who has always put the company’s interests first.

M-Sport will be forever grateful to John for all of his valuable contributions and know that his new role as an advisor will ensure the company and new management structure continue to grow into the future. We wish him all the very best for the future.

M-Sport UK Owner and Chairman, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “Our accomplishments as a company are a direct result of the people involved, and John can be extremely proud of everything he’s achieved. He has found and developed some of the brightest minds in motorsport and will hand the reins to a new leadership team; two of which were first given an opportunity by him! “John and I have known each other since we were both karting at the age of about six or seven. We’re lifelong friends, and he started working for Malcolm Wilson Motorsport in 1985. I had just been given a three-year contract with Austin Rover and wanted to put all my energy into driving. John was running his own business at the time and was perfectly placed to come and oversee operations. That was 38 years ago, and he has been by my side ever since. “I needed someone I could trust, and in John I had someone I have always had 100 percent trust in. For almost 40 years he has been my eyes and ears – keeping an eye on the day-to-day running of the company and ensuring we are well placed to grow and evolve.

“I would like to thank him for everything he has done over the past four decades and am delighted that he will continue to support the company whilst advising our new leadership team. “I’m sure a part of him will miss the day-to-day running of the business, but I also know that he’s looking forward to spending more time with family, and with his grandchildren especially. Thank you, John; and enjoy what comes next.”

M-Sport Commercial Director, John Steele, said: “The 38 years I have spent as part of the M-Sport family have flown by, and I take with me a great sense of pride in helping this once small family business grow into the global industry leader it is today – for that I sincerely thank Malcolm and Elaine for giving me the opportunity along with their help and trust all those years ago. “M-Sport has always been and will continue to be about its people. They are what make the success possible, and I would like to thank every single member of staff past and present – all of whom have helped us achieve great things, always punching above our weight and setting standards others have followed – creating many fond memories and unforgettable experiences along the way. “I’m looking forward to both the next chapter in my life and the next chapter in the story of M-Sport. We still have some important months coming up before I depart, I still intend to closely monitor the team’s progress, and will be in contact with Malcolm and the new management team on a regular basis. “Be assured that the team and the company have a very bright future ahead, and although I leave with an understandably heavy heart, it is on the very best of terms with the highest regard for Malcolm, Elaine, Matthew and everyone connected to the team.”