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.

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.

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.

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.