Having served as marketing director at a number of leading dealer groups including Perrys, CD Bramall and Reg Vardy, Neil helped establish motors.co.uk and later Trusted Dealers.

His passion for used cars led him to establish JudgeService in 2011. Neil believes “buying a car should be fun, it’s the second biggest spend most of us will make and should be something we enjoy!”

JudgeService conducts customer service surveys and provides detailed, actionable reports to its clients to manage customer experience and allows dealers to share their reviews and star rankings. Your route to raving fans.

John has worked in the motor industry for 45 years, 40 of which have been within senior roles in the warranty sector. He joined WSG as CEO in 2022 and is responsible for overseeing the company’s overall direction and leadership.

John is passionate about changing the perception of warranties and providing dealers with the tools to maximise their profitability.

He is also the current Chairman of The Motor Ombudsman’s Vehicle Warranty Products Committee and Vice Chairman of its Customer Care Committee.

Warranty Solutions Group is one of the UK’s leading warranty and add-on product providers. Fuelled by quality, passion and experience, the company continues to grow rapidly on its mission to drive up standards for vehicle buyers and set the benchmark for the sector.

Carla Detrieux is a thought leader in the commercial vehicle industry, currently serving as Director of Global Business Development at Volta Trucks.

With a background in luxury hospitality and an entrepreneurial journey as a Founding Member at Volta Trucks, Carla has been instrumental in shaping the company’s mission to revolutionize urban logistics with zero-emission solutions. Known for her inspirational leadership and ability to build impactful partnerships, she is committed to advancing sustainable and profitable business models that drive the adoption of electrification in the transportation industry. Carla’s expertise and vision continue to set new benchmarks for the sector.

Bill has been the Managing Director at The Motor Ombudsman since 2015, having worked in the motor industry for almost three decades, and has held senior roles at JLR and BMW, amongst other vehicle manufacturers.

Bill has a first class reputation for enhancing consumer satisfaction and is responsible for ensuring that TMO has a clear strategy and direction and provides the necessary oversight to ensure TMO's Independence and impartiality is maintained.

He equally plays a key role in role-modelling the organisation’s culture and values, as well as serving as an ambassador for the body.

Dionne Hanlon is a senior editor for commercial vehicles and motorcycles in the cap-hpi valuations team. She has 20 years of experience in the automotive sector, having risen through the ranks at cap hpi over the past 12 years, firstly as an LCV database specialist on the LCV valuations team and then promoted to commercial vehicle forecast manager in 2022.

cap hpi supports the entire automotive ecosystem, from OEMs to dealers and fleets, the remarketing sector, and gives consumers peace of mind with its HPI vehicle checks and valuation products.

Richard is a highly experienced motor practitioner who has held senior roles within the finance industry for thirty years, the last sixteen of which have been with MotoNovo Finance.

Richard has worked alongside many of the country’s major dealer groups, car supermarkets, and independent dealers, which has afforded him real insight into the mechanics of retailing new and used cars, commercials, and motorcycles and the operating nuances within each segment. Above his understanding of the market, Richard has gained an excellent reputation for his commitment to helping retailers adapt to the changing regulatory and increasingly digital trading environment.

Alex has worked in the transport sector for more than a decade. He began his career heading the automotive division at Hamerville Media Group, overseeing editorial content for magazines including Professional Motor Mechanic and Commercial Vehicle Workshop. After five years at esteemed automotive PR agency, Torque, Alex co-founded Vireo Communications with Alex Michaelides. Vireo is a B2B communications practice dedicated to the automotive, transport, and industrials sectors, specialising in helping companies navigate and effect change with strategic communications.

Paul has over 30 years of automotive experience including working for a Van Manufacturer, managing a fleet operation and senior leasing roles focused on Commercial vehicles. First driving an Electric Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van in 2004, his passion for the electrification of the Van sector is widely recognised. He now runs his own Consultancy, Media and Training business, EV Essentials Ltd, his main aim is to help fleets to accelerate the transition to an electric/zero emission fleet. He is also a founder member of The EV Café team. Recognised by GreenFleet Magazine as an EV “Champion” also in the Top 100 most influential people in the EV Fleet sector.

Alex is a Director of Vireo Communications, a B2B communications practice that helps companies in the automotive, transport and industrials sectors navigate and effect change in their industries. Alex’s entire career has been spent communicating to and for the automotive and transport sectors. His early years were spent in the press office of the Society of Manufacturers and Traders, before helping lead some of the transport sector’s most impressive communications campaigns at an acclaimed specialist communications consultancy.

Chris Oakham graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering via the student apprenticeship scheme at Leyland Truck and Bus subsequently moving on to car retailing and then a car importer.

For the past three decades he has been a consultant and analyst working for Sewells International, Alison Associates and Trend Tracker. He is the author of numerous research reports and articles on the automotive retail sector.

Now semi-retired, Chris continues to work on projects of interest including Motor Trader’s Top 200 and Top 50.

Andy Picton has worked for residual value specialists Glass’s since 2002 and heads up the Commercial Vehicle team. Responsible for the valuation of thousands of new and used light commercial vehicles each month for inclusion in Glass’s CV Used and Forecast future residual value products, he also works closely with manufacturers, leasing companies, auction houses, franchised dealers and independent traders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the commercial vehicle market. Andy has worked in the automotive industry since the early 1990s, including for leasing companies LeasePlan and Barclays Asset Finance.

A high-profile industry leader and automotive market expert with over 35 years experience spanning the UK and European automotive sectors. Having worked for both blue chip organisations and start-ups, I am adept at business leadership and digital transformation turning ideas to reality and scaling up to maximise commercial return. I also help create innovative and rewarding work environments to develop and empower engaged, productive and happy employees vital to the success of any business.

Born ‘down the Old Kent Road,’ Jim was educated at Swansea, Manchester, Leicester and Queens University Belfast. Coming from an automotive parts background he joined Loughborough University in 1989 where he founded the MIRA Business Unit and then in 1997 in conjunction with the Ford Motor Company launched the world’s first BSc and MSc programmes in Retail Automotive Management. These were followed by Certificate and Diploma courses in the same subject area.

The programmes became available to all automotive brands in 2002 and bespoke University programmes have been delivered for Ford, Mazda, Renault, Mercedes – Benz, Scania, Toyota and Lexus while delegates from dealer groups as well as the independent sector have attended ‘open’ programmes.

The courses gained an international reputation and have been delivered in the Middle East and SE Asia with delegates coming from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Vietnam.

During the 2000’s Jim sat on the Government’s Automotive Industry Growth Team and the Management and Leadership Panel that advised ministers on industry and educational issues.

In 2007 he was awarded an IMI Commendation for his work on ATA the Sector Skills Council strategy and the Professional Register.

In November 2020 Jim was invited to become President of the IMI. Since his appointment he has supported the launch of the IMI Taskforce looking to promote Equity, Diversity and Inclusion within the sector. The initial Taskforce Report was published in March 2022.

In Dec 2021 Jim retired from Loughborough University and was awarded the position of Emeritus Professor.

Outside of the industry Jim has been involved in a range of activities.

Jim has written over 100 articles for industry magazines and has published over 85 formal academic and conference papers. He continues to speak at automotive conferences internationally and is often called upon to comment on issues within both the mainstream and industry channels.

He is Chair of the WBBL (the Women’s British Basketball League), a Director and Trustee of Leicester Grammar School, and a Governor at Gartree High School, Leicester. He is also a trustee of Open Hands (Leicester) a Charity working with the Homeless and Poor in the city and a trustee of Bless – Christian Charity working with refugees in the UK and Europe.

Neil Smith is a visionary leader with over fifteen years of transformative impact in the automotive sector. As Operations Director at Imperial Cars (2010–2020), he drove innovation across marketing, branding, IT, and sales, elevating the company to new heights. In 2020, he joined Cazoo as Retail Operations Director, playing a key role in expanding its customer-centric approach. Embracing his entrepreneurial spirit, he founded Motorvait Limited in 2021, empowering businesses with strategic insights. Neil’s passion for excellence and innovation continues to shape the industry, making him a trusted leader in enhancing customer experiences and driving automotive success.