NTDA to Implement "Major Changes"

Following the National Tyre Distributors’ Association’s (NTDA) annual general meeting yesterday (18 May 2010), the association has agreed to a number of major changes to its organisational and representational structure. The changes follow a review conducted by former chairman Peter Gaster during the last year, which found that a modified structure would better represent regional membership and that the association would benefit from better engagement with its suppliers.

So what has changed? According to the latest NTDA e-zine, the AGM accepted a change to the rules to completely revise the regional representation of its executive council. NTDA members will shortly receive a regionalised nomination form as “a prelude to a voting procedure to elect regional representatives from all eight regions.” The new approach will expand regional representation on the council and provide an on-going link with the smaller companies in membership. Nominations will only be accepted from companies who do not already have a right to a seat on council through their size.

Newly elected chair David White commented: “The NTDA council want to ensure representation at all levels of membership and this restructuring of the election procedure for regions will ensure continuing involvement from small to medium size companies in membership.”

In another move to broaden representation on council the new rules have now provided for members who do not qualify either under the new regional representation or through size of company, to nominate themselves for membership of council. Acceptance of such a member shall be at the sole discretion of the council, according to the NTDA.

New dedicated supplier section

Another rule change will provide for the formation of a dedicated supplier section, which will be able to elect one of its members to have full rights to attend and vote at National council meetings. Following consultation with the supplier members of the association there was overriding support for the formation of a specialist group for suppliers and plans will now be made for the first meeting of the Group. However, speaking to Tyres & Accessories, NTDA director Richard Edy reinforced the association’s support for the Tyre Industry Federation (TIF) as the tyre businesses umbrella body, dispelling any suggestions that the reorganised association was competing with any other industry body.

“This is one of the major changes to the rules that I promoted during my tenancy as chair of the association. I have long supported the view that we should allow suppliers more of an official voice in our association and I am sure that many suppliers will support this initiative and I look forward to hosting the first meeting,” commented outgoing chair Peter Gaster.

New national officers

The AGM also confirmed the appointment of the new association’s new national officers. David White of Kwik Fit has formally taken over the chair and Donald Carmichael of McConechy’s takes on the role of vice chair. John Thurston, honorary treasurer of the NTDA for the past eight years stood down and Peter Gaster, the outgoing chair, has been elected as the new honorary treasurer, a role he held immediately prior to Thurston’s appointment.

Furthermore, the three trustees of the association were appointed for a further term during the AGM. Martin Rowlands, Peter Gaster and John Thurston were all re-appointed and will stand for a further year.

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