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.

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.

A twenty-year career in motor finance has seen Debbie work hand-in-hand successfully with many of the UK’s most recognisable motor retail groups and major brokers. Her in-depth market understanding and hands-on approach have seen her play a prominent role in developing MotoNovo’s well-established reputation for helping the dealer community to adapt to market change positively.

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.

Over several decades, Karl has held multiple retail, OEM and professional services roles.

He’s best known for founding Coachworks in 2002 - a professional services business offering consulting, coaching & training to retailers and OEM sales companies.

Insight gained from operating in diverse UK and international environments, with both luxury and volume brands, for PLC's and independents, have made him a thought leader whose opinions are valued.

Today he’s offering advice in the boardroom, as an executive level coach, press contributor and conference stage speaker.

Lee has been with Assurant and the RAC Dealer Network for 2 ½ years but has an extensive track record within the automotive industry in supporting the delivery of successful partnership programmes. Over a career spanning 18 years, Lee has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to key disciplines like account management, marketing and compliance helping partners to achieve their business goals and reach their full potential.

Lesley has been part of the IMI team for more than 30 years. During her career she's experienced a wide variety of roles which gave her the ideal knowledge and skills to take on her current role as Chief Operating Officer in 2016.

Immediately prior to her appointment as COO, Lesley created, led, and delivered a two-year Business Transformation Programme. This change programme was a key steppingstone in the IMI's transition away from Government funding to becoming more commercial.

With 30+ years professional body experience she’s passionate about developing people. Whether it is supporting individuals through training and development to help them realise their full potential or ensuring they get the recognition they deserve throughout their career.

In 2021, in collaboration with the IMI’s President, Professor Jim Saker, Lesley created an industry task force to understand and tackle the lack of diversity in the automotive sector. The Diversity Task Force delivered its first report in 2022 and continues to work with industry stakeholders to bring about positive change.

Marc Thornborough has been a part of Auto Trader for over 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.

Neil Leonard has worked for Close Brothers Motor Finance since 2016. He joined as Marketing Manager, before moving into a Head of Business to Business Marketing role and now holds the position of Head of Marketing.

Neil’s passionate about driving change and strives to make things easier for partners and customers. This is something he’s done throughout his career at both Close Brothers and previously Allianz.

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 !989 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.

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.

Wendy has 29 years’ experience in the automotive industry, holding a number of key senior management roles spanning a variety of disciplines. Wendy led the influential Key Account Retail team at cap hpi following the merger between CAP Automotive and HPI Ltd under the Solera banner, the team were part of a successful account management and dealership trainers, whom were accountable for driving new initiatives into the Retail market whilst ensuring cap hpi maintains the important relationships with their customers.

This has continued to this day with her current role as Head of Strategic Sales, which includes managing the Senior relationships across the largest Automotive brands, including Constellation group, Cox Automotive, Sytner, Arnold Clark, Lookers, Vertu.