IMI names Muir and Forrester as vice-presidents
The Institute of the Motor industry (IMI) has appointed both Julia Muir Hon FIMI, founder of the Automotive 30% Club, and Robert Forrester, chief executive and co-founder of Vertu Motors, as vice-presidents.
Muir has advocated for stronger female representation in the automotive sector throughout her 30-plus-year career in automotive retailing, manufacturing and consulting.
In 2016 she founded the Automotive 30% Club with the aim of filling at least 30% of key leadership positions with diverse women by 2030.
She said: “I’m very pleased to accept the role of VP of the IMI at such an exciting and challenging time for the industry. The automotive sector is experiencing unprecedented technological change and market disruption, and to steer a course through this radical transformation we need innovative high calibre leaders, top performing gender-balanced teams, and an inclusive culture that enables all people to fulfil their potential. People across the sector will need upskilling and reskilling, and recruits with new skills will need to be attracted.
“The IMI has a critical role to play in ensuring we have a robust and resilient 21st century automotive industry, through the right leadership, right culture and right skills. I look forward to working with Jim, Robert and all the IMI vice-presidents on this vital mission.”
Meanwhile, Forrester and his team founded the Vertu Motors Group in late 2006 and it is now one of the largest automotive retailer groups in the UK, employing over 7,000 colleagues, with a network of over 190 sales outlets across the country.
He said: “I am proud to represent the British motor retail industry as a vice-president of the IMI. I have always been focused on how we can deliver an exceptional experience for all customers. To achieve this, colleagues across the industry need to be thriving in their roles, and that is where the IMI delivers exceptional support. Recruitment and a skills shortage are critical issues that must be addressed to ensure the ongoing success of the sector, and I hope to be able to play a part in this new role.”
