Sir William Lyons Building

Constructed in 1980, this building is currently the home of the Student Engagement Centre team and a few small research units. It is named after Sir William Lyons, the co-founder of the Swallow Sidecar Company, which subsequently became Jaguar Cars.

Sir William Lyons was born in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1901. With his next door neighbour William Walmsley he set up the Swallow Sidecar company which later became Jaguar Cars Limited. He moved his motor manufacturing operation to Coventry in one weekend in October 1928 and began producing the Austin Seven Swallow. In 1931 the Lanchester Motor Co. was bought out by BSA and managed by Daimler. The production transferred the works to Sandy Lane, Coventry. In 1960 BSA sold Daimler to Jaguar cars.

The first Jaguar model was made available in 1935 having changed the name from SS cars. He produced the XK120 sports car which made incredible achievements at Le Mans. He was knighted in 1956 for his services to British industry.