26 May 2022

JOIN US: Tuesday, 14 June 2022 at 2pm

Rising business costs, a consumer spending crunch and uncertainty over used car values will all be up for discussion in the new Auto Retail Live webinar.

Being broadcast at 2pm on 14 June, Auto Retail Live will examine how the first half of 2022 has gone and what’s in store for the rest of the year. Auto Retail Live will examine what retailers can do to prepare for the next six months.

In Auto Retail Live’s H2 Briefing we’ll have Peter Smyth from Swansway Group, John O’Hanlon from Waylands, Jonathan Gravell from Gravells and Marc Palmer from Auto Trader available online to answer your questions and share their experience of how best to operate in the current market.

Key topics for discussion include:

• Rising business costs – have you factored in inflation at a high enough level on energy and staffing budgets?
• Trends in consumer spending – are order banks safe?
• Used car pricing outlook – are we set for a drop in values?
• New car supply outlook – will production ramp back up soon?

REGISTER NOW and join us online at 2pm on Tuesday, 14 June for our H2 Briefing. It’s 40 minutes that will give you practical advice and expert opinion on the quarter, and the race to the end of the year – from some of the most successful operators in the auto retail industry.

Auto Retail Live is a series of business briefings produced in partnership with Auto Trader that will run throughout 2022.

It’s just 40 minutes of your time which will give you the inside knowledge to hit your targets this quarter and to put you in the best position for the rest of 2022… and all delivered in the comfort of your own office!

Panellists

Peter Smyth, Swansway Group

Born and bred in the motor industry, Peter is a director of family owned and run Swansway Group. Swansway was founded in in 2003 by Peter’s father Michael. The group has grown and thrived in the intervening years and is an ever growing multi-franchise dealer group which represents 9 brands with over 20 locations across the North West, Midlands and North Wales.

John O’Hanlon, Waylands

Following qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, John started his career in the Motor Trade with Grant Thornton, as a Motor Retail Manager. He enjoyed this time so much, that he decided to take the plunge and join a Volkswagen and Audi dealership business, based in Newbury.

At Ridgeway, John undertook a number of roles including Financial Controller, Brand Manager, Financial Director and for the last 9 years as CEO. During this time, Ridgeway grew from two sites and some £13m turnover to 40 sites and £800m turnover.

Ridgeway was sold in the largest motor retail trade sale in over a decade for £106.9m.

John started his most recent venture, Waylands Automotive in November 2017 as the new Volvo dealer for the Reading market area and has now grown the business into a multi-brand group with the addition of several more Volvo sites plus Kia and most recently MG.

Jonathan Gravell, Gravells Motors

After university and then almost 10 years gaining management experience at companies such as Accenture, RSA and Qinetiq, Jonathan Gravell returned to the family business in 2006. Gravells, formed in 1932, started with Renault in 1954, added Kia in 2007 and now has six Kia locations; it added Seat in 2019. Jonathan’s initial focus was business transformation for the first  few years to improve daily operations before expanding with Kia dealerships across West and South Wales. Gravells employs 130 people with average service length of 15 years, strong team culture and service focus. People development and opportunity is key to the group’s success and retention.

Marc Palmer, Auto Trader

Al Clarke, programme chairman

Al has held senior executive roles with Ferrari, Maserati and the SMMT. Al started his career as a journalist and presenter with a decade working for the BBC and in commercial radio. He has a particular interest in the application of digital technology and connected car services in the automotive industry and regularly speaks at, and chairs events on, these issues.

REGISTER and watch now