Guy Bird is a London-based freelance writer, editor and consultant specialising in cars and design for a variety of global magazines, websites and books, including CAR, BusinessCar, Car Design News, Interior Motives and What Van? He interviews senior management around the world, has edited four books on car design and has road-tested the majority of vehicles launched in the UK since the mid-1990s.

Beyond cars, he also enjoys writing about product design, aircraft, architecture, art and music and sits on several judging panels, including the UK Car of the Year Awards and Motor Trader Industry Awards.

www.guybird.com 

1991-94 Deputy Editor, Fast Car Magazine

1994-95 Editor, Top Car Magazine

1995-96 Editor, Super Touring Magazine

1997-98 Editor, Touring Car Worldwide magazine

1998-2000 Editor, Dorking & Leatherhead Advertiser

2001 on, freelance, including stints as Acting Editor Carbuyer magazine, Editor Classics magazine. Past/present clients include Motor Trader, TheCarExpert.co.uk, Auto Express, Compass magazines, Race Tech, Professional Motorsport World, Engine Technology International etc

Trustee of Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, mid Wales

Karl Davis has almost forty years’ experience in the automotive industry. After a progressive couple of decades working for retailers and OEM’s in sales, aftersales and leadership capacities and from the shop floor to the boardroom, Karl formed Coachworks in 2002. His company offers professional services including consulting, coaching, training and on-line resources. Today he leads a group of professionals that work with manufacturer and retailer teams to improve performance across all departments; by growing the human capital and optimising digital platforms.

Adopting a seek first to understand approach, Karl is practiced at challenging convention, opening minds and accelerating behavioural and operational change. Whilst he could be described as charismatic, he’s also not afraid to ask the killer question to get to the heart of a matter. As a consequence, he can quickly identify growth opportunities and inspire individuals and organisations to take action to improve outcomes for colleagues and customers alike.

As a widely known figure, it’s not surprising Karl’s opinions are published in the trade press, shared on the conference stage or relied upon as a judge for industry awards. When not leading the Coachworks team or supporting clients in person, Karl enjoys country life with his wife and daughter, spending weekends on his farm in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales.

Experienced Chief Commercial Officer with 12 years’ experience of working in the automotive industry, based in the UK but working internationally. Skilled in Business Development, Budgeting, Business Planning, Management, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), and Risk Management. Strong business development professional graduated from Loughborough University and University of Warwick - Warwick Business School. ACA qualified with Arthur Andersen.

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 financial services and automotive sectors. Senior marketing roles in a series of motor finance businesses working with OEMs and retailers was followed, in 2002, by a move to become a founding partner at the Rocket Performance Group consultancy. The firm has thrived, providing strategic counsel in marketing, communications, corporate development and executive training. A regular speaker and commentator on the automotive market, Graham holds an MBA, is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Marketing and Institute of the Motor Industry and a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and International Motor Press Association.

Martin Gurdon is a motoring writer and author whose work has appeared in the Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard, Octane and Diesel & Eco Car magazine, where he is a columnist. Martin has contributed to Motor Trader since 1993 and has been on its judging panel since 2008.

Karen has been working in automotive and technology for the past 15 years. She has experience across the landscape from dealer operations, OEM strategy development, and digital innovation. In recent years she’s been responsible for the growth of heycar in the UK market scaling their presence from launch to 200million visits per year.

A marketing professional with over 20 years’ financial services experience. Operating at ExCo level, Jill has a proven track record in delivering top and bottom line growth via insight-led, strategic marketing activities in B2C, B2B and B2B2C markets. Used to operating within strict regulatory environments, Jill champions good customer experiences across the customer journey. Jill is a passionate leader who believes in a colleague first culture.

Lisa McClinton has worked in the automotive finance sector for nearly 28 years, starting life at Ford Credit before being TUPE’d over to Santander Consumer Finance in January 2009. Having spent a number of years in field sales, brand marketing, PR and Events, she is recognised as an Accredited PR Practitioner by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and has just been appointed as the National Sales Manager for Mazda Financial Services, under the Santander umbrella.

A twenty-year motor finance career has seen Debbie work hand-in-hand with many of the UK’s most recognisable motor retail groups and major brokers. An energetic advocate of innovation, digitisation and regulatory compliance and prominent champion for Diversity & Inclusion, her committed approach is valued by her colleagues and clients alike.

Alan Millar is a freelance transport journalist. He is a former editor of the RMI’s membership magazine and has been a Motor Trader Industry Awards judge since 1996.

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 Sewell's 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.

"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."

Marc Thornborough has been a part of Auto Trader for almost 30 years and was part of the team that launched its very first website back in 1997. Marc has a passion for digital excellence, understanding retailers goals and objectives and aligning them with the needs and demands of today’s car buyers in order to improve a retailers performance and the car buying experience. As well as sharing best practice behaviours with customers, Marc speaks regularly at conferences, seminars and on webinars about the future of the UK vehicle retailing market and the digitalisation of the car buying process.