COVENTRY, UK, Mar 2, 2026 – David Keene MBE, CEO of Aurrigo International plc, received the Ambassador of the Year award at the Business Desk West Midlands Awards in Birmingham. Judges cited his work in aviation technology and its impact on the engineering and manufacturing sector.
Aurrigo develops autonomous airport vehicles, including its Auto-DollyTug, Auto-Cargo and Auto-Shuttle systems, deployed at eight airports, including Cincinnati, Changi, Schiphol and Teesside.
“This accolade came as a complete surprise,” explained David. “It’s a business awards evening that I like to support and then, before you know it, I started to recognize the person they were announcing as the ‘Ambassador of the Year’…it was a bit of a surreal experience to be honest.”
He continued: “The West Midlands is a region I call home and I’m passionate about the manufacturing talent and innovation we have there. That’s why Aurrigo will always have its nerve center in the region, despite our ambitious plans to open international hubs in North America, the Middle East, Asia and, closer to home, in Europe.
“There was so much talent in the room that I feel very humbled to have been selected as Ambassador of the Year. You’ve got my word that I’ll be shouting even louder for our fantastic area on the world stage.”
Aurrigo systems can reduce carbon emissions by 60% compared with diesel tugs and raised £14.1 million late last year. Keene received an MBE from Prince William for work on airport decarbonization and was told he must “have the weight of the world on his shoulders.” He also contributes more than 100 hours of voluntary service to the UK Automotive Council, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and universities, where he lectures on automated vehicle technology.
David concluded: “We have so much innovation in the UK, yet we seem to sometimes lack the confidence and backing required to commercialize new technology. That’s something I’d really like to see change and something I’ll be advocating for in my day role and as Business Desk’s Ambassador of the Year.”
Source: Aurrigo
About Aurrigo International
Aurrigo International plc, headquartered in Coventry, UK, is a technology-driven company specializing in autonomous and automated solutions for the aviation and automotive industries. Established as part of the RDM Group, it has been in business for over 30 years, developing airside ground handling systems, baggage transportation and autonomous vehicle solutions. Aurrigo serves major airports, airlines, logistics providers, and automotive manufacturers, focusing on efficiency and sustainability through automation. Aurrigo has expanded globally, working with clients across North America, Europe, and Asia.