Our Team
Drive System Design (DSD) was founded by driveline and transmission engineers with shared values of collaboration, integrity and expertise.
As a purpose-built powertrain engineering company, every facility, system and tool has been specifically developed to enable technology transfer, while allowing clients to maintain IP ownership.
Nearly two decades on, we have technical centres and testing facilities in the UK, USA and India.
DSD is ITAR and JCP registered and we are now part of the Hinduja Group, adding wider vehicle integration, sourcing and targeted low-cost country (LCC) capabilities into the portfolio.
Meet our global leadership team
Mark Findlay
CEO
Mark Findlay serves as CEO of DSD, responsible for the overall direction of the company and ensuring the team continues to win the most challenging and technically interesting projects. He co-founded DSD in 2007, with a vision of doing consultancy differently. The vision of technical excellence, long-term relationships and “clean hands” IP has allowed DSD to thrive.
With more than 30 years of experience, Mark has a long track record of success in the transmission industry. His breadth of technical and commercial experience gives him unrivaled insight into the transmission industry’s challenges and opportunities.
Prior to joining DSD, Mark worked at Ricardo, where he was responsible for CAE and R&D within the driveline division. He also previously held a leadership position with a precision contact lens manufacturing operation.
Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England.
Jason Allen
Managing Director - UK
Jason Allen brings nearly 20 years of experience in drivetrain design and development to his role as Managing Director of Drive System Design in the U.K. During his time at DSD, he has managed some of the largest programmes undertaken by the company, including the development of a next-generation, best-in-class efficiency rear axle for a global Tier 1 supplier. He also spearheaded the development of a high-performance, hybrid rear axle, integrating the conventional ICE drive train with a 2-speed electric drive and eLSD. Since joining DSD in 2012, he has held numerous roles, including senior engineer, engineering manager and more.
Prior to joining DSD, Jason worked at Hewland Engineering, designing and developing motorsport transmissions, including the development and calibration of the transmission and pneumatic shift system for the Ferrari 458 GT2, which went on to win 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Jason started his career in engineering as an apprentice and earned a BTEC higher national certificate in mechanical engineering from the University of West London.
Jon Brentnall
President - US
Jon Brentnall brings more than 20 years of propulsion engineering consulting experience to his role as president of DSD. In 2014, he helped establish DSD in North America, supporting the company’s growth in engineering capabilities and testing. He has also focused on enhancing DSD’s transmission development for automotive, commercial truck and aerospace programs in North America, in addition to supporting product development projects in renewable energy, defense automotive and off-highway.
Previously, Jon was a chief engineer at an international consultancy, leading programs covering transmissions, e-drive transaxles and rear-axles, power-split electrical hybrid transmissions, CVT (wind-turbine) transmissions and dynamic modeling of shift systems. Jon was also a lead engineer for DaimlerChrysler in its hybrid joint venture with GM and BMW. Throughout his career, he has supported several programs with patented inventions.
Jon earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Newcastle University in England. In his spare time, he spends time with his four kids, snowboards, cycles and works on home improvement projects.
David Kelly
Chief Technical Officer
David Kelly is responsible for DSD’s future technology direction and research coordination in his role as Chief Technology Officer. Additionally, David helps DSD provide robust optimisation of design features and functional characteristics for modern transmissions. He joined the team in 2009, bringing strong skillsets as a simulation specialist with extensive experience creating cutting-edge optimisation and simulation techniques.
Prior to joining DSD, he owned DFK Solutions Ltd. and worked for an international engineering consultancy as a chief engineer of dynamics and simulation. His skills were first developed designing automotive transmissions, while also focusing on the simulation of engines and vehicle systems.
David earned a master’s degree in automotive engineering from the University of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England.
Lee Sykes
Chief Commercial Officer
Lee Sykes has served as Chief Commercial Officer of DSD in the U.K. since September 2023. He first joined DSD as Commercial Director in February 2018, and continues to use a customer-focused approach to help grow and diversify the business as well as ‘roll up his sleeves’ to support the DSD engineering teams with major programme delivery.
For more than 20 years, Lee has held senior technical and commercial leadership roles in global consulting engineering businesses, focusing on transmission, driveline and powertrain system integration. During this time, Lee oversaw production engineering programs including the BMW Mini powertrain, a Chinese 8AT and electric drive unit, and the Bugatti Veyron DCT. Lee’s international outlook came to the fore in a successful stint as president of a Shanghai-based operation.
His initial career covered vehicle and powertrain system CAE and CFD for a U.K. vehicle manufacturer.
Lee earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from The University of Manchester in England.
Steve Hunton
Managing Director - ICE
Steve leads our ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) function, driving the growth of a highly successful team with global clients. He has had a diverse and illustrious career, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Drive System Design.
Before joining DSD, Steve worked on a broad range of vehicle and powertrain products at Lotus Engineering, supporting both Lotus and global third-party clients. He oversaw the company’s global sales and marketing efforts across the UK, Germany, USA, Japan, Malaysia, and China.
During his time at Intelligent Energy, where he was involved in the development of hydrogen fuel cells, Steve managed offices in Japan and India, and was responsible for manufacturing facilities in the USA, UK and China. He also held the position of Managing Director at a gearbox design and manufacturing company, specialising in high-speed gearboxes for testing purposes, with clients in the automotive, aerospace, defence and industrial sectors.