Speakers

James Bellini has a distinguished track record as an analyst, writer, speaker and conference chairman. He specialises in future issues affecting business and management, with a strong emphasis on retailing, financial services, information
technology, brand values and corporate reputation.
After an early academic career in defence and military strategy, James was invited to become the first British member of the Hudson Institute - the renowned US think tank.  He subsequently became Head of Political Studies at the Institute’s European division in Paris.
He has been a regular broadcaster, presenting The Money Programme, Tonight and Panorama. He spent three years as editor and presenter of Financial Times Television, before moving to Sky News. Among his many award-winning TV programmes he scripted and narrated the 12-part series, The Nuclear Age.

John Clark currently works in DG Competition as an official. He deals with the implementation of the motor vehicle block exemption (Regulation 1400/2002), and with cases in other industrial sectors.

He previously worked for the Treasury Solicitor’s Department (TSD) (the UK Government’s central law office).

He is a qualified solicitor, and also holds a French legal qualification.

Miles is a senior associate within the competition and commercial department of international law firm, Osborne Clarke. Miles also spearheads Osborne Clarke's automotive practice in the UK which, in turn, complements the firm's wider automotive expertise across continental Europe.

Whilst regularly advising on all aspects of UK and EC competition law, Miles has extensive experience of reviewing, drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial agreements including dealer, repairer, vehicle supply and stocking finance agreements.

In addition to acting for the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association on block exemption lobbying and associated matters at European Commission, UK Government and OFT level, Miles advises a number of national dealer bodies in their negotiations with major manufacturers (including Ford, Land Rover, Renault and Nissan). Miles also advises several leading dealer groups on a range of commercial and block exemption issues.

Before joining Osborne Clarke and qualifying as a solicitor in 2001, Miles worked in-house in France for a large manufacturing company and for Jordans in the UK as a company legal adviser.

• Press and Communications Officer for the building services industry.
• Joined the RMI over 12 years ago as Press Officer moving on to become their PR Manager. In 1997 promoted to Director of External Affairs, which included all media and lobbying activity.
• She re-launched the three RMI magazines including the very popular online Press Digest. Further developed the policy and lobbying activity at the RMI along with the RMI Government Tracker.
• Appointed to the role of RMI National Franchised Dealers Association Director in June 2005 incorporated with role of Director of External Affairs

ICDP is an international organisation carrying out research and providing strategic advice, specialising in the automotive retail sector.  Its collaborative programmes investigate all aspects of vehicle distribution, including the supply and retailing of new and used vehicles, after sales, network structures and operations.

John Whiteman has been leading ICDP since 1999, and has taken a particular interest in Block Exemption evolution, dealer groups, and franchise structure and development issues.  Prior to joining ICDP, he was Group Strategic Development Director at Inchcape plc.

Her work involves all aspects of customer service delivery, from complaint handling to quality management, including the delivery of programmes to enhance the customer experience. Kathy also facilitates cultural change to help organisations become more customer focused and increase customer loyalty.

For more than a decade, Kathy has combined her experience of managing customer service operations for Sainsbury, Audi Volkswagen, Nissan and Eastern Electricity (now EDF Energy) with her skills as a customer care practitioner.

Jay started in the car industry as Market Analyst at Porsche 20 years ago, subsequently branching out into web development. His company was responsible for the first online motoring magazine in the UK, 4car for Channel 4, and now runs both www.wrc.com and Fifth Gear. In addition, Spyder Redspy Ltd maintains a broad range of dealer websites for customers such as Inchcape and Hartwell.

Armed with a practical idea, limited contacts but a great deal of drive, Michelle progressed from making the tea to creating and marketing the cleavage-enhancing Ultimo bra. Voted one of the top female entrepreneurs by Management Today, and famed for her PR coups, Michelle's next move is to launch a chain of up to 100 concessions within Debenhams stores turning Ultimo into the biggest designer lingerie brand in the UK and now owning 6 other brands.

www.michellemone.com

Mark started life as a service receptionist and progressed through to sales and management. He is the Founder, Majority Share Holder and Chief Executive of Cambria Automobiles Holdings Ltd which is one of the fastest growing groups in the top 100. The first businesses that were bought had a turnover of £10 million in the year prior to acquisition. Now there are 23 franchised dealers across the United Kingdom.

This year we are delighted to welcome our keynote speaker Annette Sykora, chairman of National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in America, who will share her knowledge and vast experience.

Sykora, who has run the family car retail business in Texas since 1989, has served on NADA's board of directors since 1999. Her priorities as chairman for 2008 include attracting talented people to the industry, dealer profitability and environmental issues.

Adrian is Director of Automotive and joined Google in May 2006 with 15 years blue chip sales and marketing experience gained within industry and management consultancy. He has full revenue responsibility for the UK automotive market at Google and also manages a number of major car manufacturers on an EMEA level. Prior to joining Google he was the main Board Director responsible for group Sales & Marketing at Trafficmaster Plc where he led a team of 45 people to achieve dramatic improvements in all business units.