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.

Tim has been involved in the van industry for 4 decades. Starting out in dealer sales and management, he went on to work at cap-hpi, forecasting residual values of vans and trucks. For the past 10 years he's run his own LCV consultancy and writing business, providing services to blue chip clients and expert content for websites and magazines. He lives in rural Yorkshire.

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.

Julia Crowe is a Director of Stream, an Integrated Marketing Agency, with over 25 years of experience in the industry. A seasoned marketing professional, she blends data-driven strategies with creative communication to drive measurable success. With a deep understanding of automotive and logistics, Julia works with clients across the industry ecosystem—from manufacturers to end-users—delivering impactful marketing solutions. She focuses on transport decarbonisation and the evolving commercial vehicle landscape, working with consortia involved in the UK Government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstration programme. As a trusted advisor, Julia leverages her expertise in media, market dynamics, and brand positioning to help businesses navigate challenges and achieve growth.

Mike is the Chief Executive Officer of Leasing.com, leading day‑to‑day operations and the company’s strategic growth agenda. With 25 years of C‑Suite experience across CEO, CCO, COO and CFO roles — including 15 years in the automotive sector working with major global OEMs — he brings deep commercial and operational expertise. ACA‑qualified and an MBA graduate from Warwick University, Mike specialises in business development, M&A, and performance improvement across PLC, SME and start‑up environments. He has driven international expansion, delivered successful exits, and founded innovative ventures. Outside work, he enjoys skiing, sailing, diving and powerboating with his family.

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.

Graham has enjoyed a 35-year career in the automotive and financial services sectors. He has worked in senior marketing roles in a series of motor finance businesses before moving in 2002 to become a founding partner at the Rocket Performance Group consultancy.

At Rocket, Graham’s expertise in the automotive and finance sectors continues to see him working with a broad range of clients across the automotive distribution, supporting their strategic planning, brand development and communications.

As well as his consulting work, Graham's independent insights ensure he is a regular speaker and commentator on the ever-evolving automotive landscape.

Graham holds an MBA, is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Institute of the Motor Industry and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and International Motor Press Association.

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.

Stephen has nearly 20 years of experience in the produce and logistics sector and has developed a career that blends technology, operations, and commercial strategy. His background in information technology has given him a strong foundation for driving efficiency, innovation, and digital transformation within logistics and supply chain management.

For the last eight years at the RHA Stephen has been dedicated to supporting and representing the UK’s road transport sector. He now serves as the RHA’s Head of Operations overseeing commercial and operational areas ensuring that the association delivers relevance and value to operators.

His expertise spans streamlining operations, enhancing service delivery, and developing strategies that benefit the association’s members. His leadership continues to strengthen the RHA’s mission of championing the interests of the haulage, coach, van and logistics sectors.

Paul has over 30 years of automotive experience including working for an LCV Manufacturer, managing a fleet operation and senior leasing roles focused on Commercial vehicles. Having first driven an Electric Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van in 2004, his passion for the electrification of the Van sector is widely recognised. His main aim is to help fleets get started on the transition to an electric/zero emission fleet. Through his business’, EV Essentials Ltd and The EV Cafe, he provides Consultation, Training and Media/PR services to support that!

EV Essentials Ltd: https://www.ev-essentials.com/

The EV Café: www.evcafe.org 

Wendy has worked at Autotrader for over 20 years in a number of different commercial roles across the organisation. This has enabled Wendy to work with a broad range of customers of all sizes and segments, focusing on supporting retailers to achieve their business goals. 

Her day to day is working with customers or the Autotrader team focusing on improving customers performance and aligning them to the needs and demands of todays van buyers.

Hugely passionate about developing people and creating positive cultures which enable people to thrive, enjoy their roles and do their best work.

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.

Will Reeves represents the hundreds of suppliers and manufacturers in UK Automotive’s Bus, Coach, Minibus and Commercial Vehicle sectors, championing their interests as the industry undergoes rapid change towards zero emission mobility.

SMMT’s Bus Coach & Minibus Section and Commercial Vehicle Section provides extensive support, insight and a platform for members to gather and discuss the challenges affecting the industry, as well as representing and promoting sector and cross-sector interests to all stakeholders.

His role recently expanded to include the Specialist Vehicle Builders Group which is designed to meet the needs and activities of a broad range of automotive businesses supplying to and producing all-new and converted vehicles for specialist applications.

Reeves’ previous experience includes more than a decade at Logistics UK, building relationships with OEMs and suppliers. In combination with his first industry role at the Society of Operations Engineers, Reeves has seen first-hand every part of a sector that plays an essential role in the UK, providing the vans, taxi cabs, buses and trucks that keep it moving.

He also provides the lead comment SMMT’s weekly newsletter, Transport News Brief, which is dedicated to keeping readers abreast of the latest developments in the heavy vehicle industries.

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.