Automotive Leaders Network To Continue Unique Industry Collaboration
The members and leaders of the automotive leaders’ organisation Automotive Fellowship International (AFI) have formed a new independent entity - Automotive Leaders Network (ALN) - under new CEO Laura Coase.
ALN brings together the senior executives from retailers, manufacturers and industry partners, all on an equal platform in an informal environment and safe space governed by Chatham House Rules, to create a level of thought leadership unique in the sector.
Building upon the legacy of AFI - formed over 30 years ago by Ron Sewell and for the last 13 years under the Chairmanship of ASE founder Trevor Jones - ALN is now a new entity with a fresh new focus.
Operating under the strategic governance of the president’s committee, who reflect the membership profile and are led by John Neill CBE as President, the group includes Vertu Motors Chief Executive Robert Forrester as well as Darren Ardron, Laura Brailey, Simon Bottomley, Mike Jones, Julia Muir, Steve Nash, Ian Plummer and Dale Wyatt.
Meeting three times a year the ALN debate the critical issues facing the automotive industry, with the most recent summer programme including discussion and presentations around China's impact on the UK market, the Vehicle Emission Trading Scheme (ZEV mandate), the transformative power of artificial intelligence in auto retail, and insights from the US industry from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).
Laura, who created the group’s new entity, said: “At this time of unprecedented change the Automotive Leadership Network provides a valuable contribution to the automotive sector. It’s critical to share a mix of experience. If we only ever talk amongst the same people we risk just talking into an echo chamber.
“Our focus now is to continue to drive unparalleled thought leadership, widen the membership diversity and to bring through the leaders of the future.”