Iconic car designer first up at brand-new In Conversation series

Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer will share his journey from Teesside University student, to designing cars for one of the world’s most iconic brands when he kickstarts Teesside University’s popular In Conversation series.

Marek Reichman is a Teesside University graduate and is Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda.

Over the past 17 years, Marek has grown the AM Design team from four members to over 100, strengthening the company’s capabilities for iconic styling by designing Aston Martin’s studio and new corporate campus in Gaydon, as well as the recently unveiled state-of-the-art Brand Center in New York.

He will launch the second series of In Conversation with a special event at Teesside University’s new London campus on Monday 4 December.

Also confirmed for the series are boxing sensation Savannah Marshall and Formula One Engineer Rob Smedley who are both due to feature later in the series.

The In Conversation with Savannah Marshall, a BSc (Hons) Applied Sport and Exercise graduate from Teesside University, will be held on Thursday 25 January 2024.

While In Conversation with Rob Smedley, a British automotive engineer who works for the Formula One Group, is set to take place on Tuesday 5 March 2024.

Both will be held closer to home at Teesside University Students’ Union in Middlesbrough.

The In Conversation series has welcomed notable speakers from the worlds of sport, culture, and business.

Previous guests have included rugby legend Rory Underwood MBE DL, best-selling author Adele Parks MBE, and media publishing veteran Dominic Carter.

Sheffield-born Marek, who has also been awarded two honorary degrees from Teesside University, has designed some of Aston Martin’s most iconic vehicles, including the Rapide S, the Vanquish, and the DB11.

He will share exclusive details about his glittering career at the In Conversation event next month.

Lauren Bradshaw, Deputy Director in Communications and Development at Teesside University, said: “Marek is known across the world for his work with iconic brands and is a fantastic ambassador for us here at Teesside University. We are delighted to start the second series of our successful In Conversation event with him.

“We’ve really enjoyed hosting the In Conversation series and are delighted to be bringing it to our campus in the capital, which will help us to connect and engage with a new audience.

"Our In Conversation series has hosted a fantastic line-up of speakers who have made a mark in their respective industries, and we are delighted with the names we have confirmed for our second exciting series. I am sure they will prove to be memorable events for those who attend.”

Marek graduated with a degree in industrial design from Teesside University in 1989 before launching his design career with Rover Cars in 1991.

He moved on to BMW Designworks in California in 1995, before joining Ford in 1999 as chief designer for the company’s Ford and Lincoln Mercury brands.

He joined Aston Martin as Director of Design in 2005.

Marek has worked on some of the world’s most quintessential cars throughout his accomplished design career. These have included the Rolls-Royce Phantom, the Lincoln MKX and Navicross Concept Cars and the Range Rover Mk lll.

Though perhaps best known for his automotive design work, Marek has also created private homes, a residential tower, motorcycles, boats and yachts, helicopters and drones, and other objects of beauty, like the Bowmore Whiskey Mokume ARC52 Vessel and Lavarack + AM Bicycle.

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