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Mark & Donna (middle) RAC Rally (Clumber Park) -1985 (6 in a Morris Marina). We froze that day!
Mark observing the B.Eng Mech.Eng drinking competition (Nottingham 1985)
Mark (far right) at B.Eng Mech Eng -18 pub (golf) drinking match. 1985(ish)
Mark dancing at the Irish Centre Nottingham with other ‘Mechanical Engineers. 1984
Mark in his first ever Computer Aided Design (CAD) - Nottingham Trent University 1984.
What can I say about Mark? He was possibly one of the most caring, loving, yet downright annoying people that i have ever known! What started off as me being his EA at McLaren and then Rivian, ended up with him being an honorary member of my family. My kids thought of him as uncle Mark and he was always there for me when I needed him. I saw his kids grow up, saw how proud he was as a Dad and definitely lived the highs and lows of his time at McLaren and Rivian. He pushed me to limits I didn't know I had and we bickered like an old married couple, but he always had my back and I loved him to bits. What I have read about others saying about him professionally on platforms like LinkedIn, I couldn't agree more - he pushed and pushed to get the absolute best out of people, seeing their strengths even when they couldn't, supporting them to believe in what they were doing and giving them an opportunity even when others wouldn't. He could be hard, but never without reason and the people and products that he touched all benefitted from having him there. The industry is mourning an unbelievable talent. What are best memories of Mark? There are too many to mention all of them, but requests for 6ft long cakes, seats on flights that don't exist, meetings with people that don't have time and everything in between all came my way and in reality these weren't requests, they had to happen! He was high maintenance and my god was he grumpy when he was hungry, but he was amazing to work with and a true true friend and now quite frankly I'm lost without him. Keep smiling Mark, keep being very cheeky and never let anyone else up there get you down. No doubt we'll meet again in another life. All my love, g x
Picture was when we won Sportscar of the Year at the Autocar Awards in 2017. A fantastic evening. MV was an innovator, a passionate individual who would always strive for perfection in the cars that he produced – second best was never good enough and he always had the ability to get the best out of his team, to challenge the impossible and make you push the extra mile in. He loved driving…. and being out on the open roads - debriefs and vehicle feedback were a favourite of his and no matter how good or perfect you thought a car was – he demanded that little bit extra! A special person, a great friend and somebody who will always be missed.
MEMORIES OF MARK; DELIGHTING in his cars and sharing that joy with others CARING with Leo cradled gently in his arms THE PERFECTIONIST designing and fitting a very complicated new wooden staircase THOUGHTFUL in always managing to choose perfect gifts DUST COVERED when helping to break hall concrete first with hammer & chisel then with kango hammer HAPPY when he and Sharon got engaged in Sivota DETERMINED striding off down the garden with Rafi despite having two sticks and ankle supports STILL SMILING when last we saw him.
I wanted to share this pic and video of Mark as for me, they epitomise him. They were from the small wedding ceremony Sharon and Mark had in December last year. This was the first time I’d seen him with family members. The stand out impression I had of him was – fun. He had so much fun with his daughters, and the rest of us, on that day. Mark always had a real twinkle in his eye and it was fantastic to see the warmth and closeness he had with those he loved. You could tell he was more than a Dad (which is an epic role in itself!); he was a friend to them. Ironically, I feel like I’ve gotten to know him more over the last year or two than previously. At their August celebration, it was the first time I’d seen him with work colleagues and friends. I cannot really express what an impact it made on me, seeing so many highly intelligent, capable, people having such respect and love for him. I’d always known he’d worked on Big Brand cars but they were so far removed from my world, I just kind of shrugged my shoulders and wondered if I’d get a ride in a Mclaren. I’d never stopped to think what that must mean about him, his capacity, his skills. That wedding ceremony made me realise. It added yet another amazing layer to someone I already had a lot of respect for. Mark was immensely generous and clearly cared for my sister a lot, as well as obviously being a loving father and inspirational colleague. I know people always say this when someone passes, but I truly feel the world has lost some of its brightness without him. I wish I’d gotten the chance to get to know him better as a brother.
Wild Horse Pass Motorsport Park, Arizona, 2018. Desert. For miles in every direction. Apart from one deep muddy hole, which of course MV wanted to know if the truck would be able to drive through. This picture is shortly after he and the truck were pulled out of said hole by the support team! Mark was inspiring, dedicated, demanding, curious, fun and mischievous. He kept me on my toes, stretched me beyond my comfort zone, always had my back, and always stuck by his word. I have never met anyone like MV before, and expect I never will again. Totally unique. Total legend.
I remember Mark's daughter Jess coming through the design studio at Rivian and they had stopped near my desk when I mentioned I liked her pants. We had a short conversation about her capstone project in the food system which I also liked...Every time I saw Mark after that, I'd ask how Jess's project was going and his eyes would light up as he talked about the latest update he had gotten. He was super proud of her and her tenacity. He was also really caring about those in the studio. I remember overhearing him ask "How you doing? You okay?" on multiple occasions whenever he happened to be walking alongside a co-worker, heading to the water cooler during a late office night. He was a great engineer but also a great human. Sending prayers for his family. He was so proud of you guys.
Oh Mark, so many happy memories. Camping trips with Libby and the two Jess's - riding bikes through farmer's fields, frying bacon in the rain, exploring the seashore and pooching for crabs. Christmas dinner with your family. Dinners out at the Wildebeest - too many courses and a different wine for each. Cabaret at the theatre. Absinthe on New Year's Eve. Late nights and weekends working on Skipton, but at least getting to drive around the Norfolk roads in one every once in a while. I miss you. Love to Libby, Jess, Donna and Sharon.
Mark made the most of every day, and generously encouraged and supported others in their careers. The tales of MV and ceaseless quest for the greatest product yet will live on through the many who worked alongside him. He described work as "arriving with butterflies in your stomach because there's difficult problems to solve, but knowing that they will be fixed". He set the vision and then made it a reality.
Shared on behalf of Margaret May: When it was Eric's 70th Birthday, I travelled to Reading by train. Mark picked me up in his McLaren and whizzed me through the streets of the town to the venue. I had never sat in such an amazing vehicle and certainly not been driven through urban streets in one.... an amazing experience, never to be forgotten, from a wonderful man who will be sorely missed.
Mark and I went to a couple college “football” games together, we had a blast tailgating and it was fun explaining all the rules to him.
Paul Mackenzie
Paul Mackenzie
This picture was taken at the Munich beer festival - several jars in.
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