Andy Savva to be next IAAF President

Andy Savva has been appointed the new Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) vice-president supporting president, Lawrence Bleasdale and chief executive, Wendy Williamson, before taking over as president in 2017.

Savva has accumulated a wealth of experience in the automotive aftermarket since entering the industry more than 30 years ago. Owning and successfully managing his own garage since 1994, Savva has gone on to win numerous awards including the prestigious ‘National Independent Garage of the Year Award’ at the Hilton London in 2004.

With a keen desire to gain a greater insight into the industry, Savva completed a Diploma in Automotive Retail Management at Loughborough University before being elected Fellow of The Institute of the Motor Industry in 2008.

After also being council and advisory IAAF member for a number of years, Savva feels he is now ready to take on the vice-presidency before taking over as president.

On his new appointment, Savva said: “I have always thoroughly supported the work IAAF carries out to the benefit of the aftermarket and I am really looking forward to my term as president. The aftermarket has many challenges ahead that need to be addressed with belief, commitment and courage by all of the industry’s stakeholders if we wish to overcome them.

“Since announcing my new role I have received wonderful support and comments and I would like to thank everyone for welcoming me in this position. I will serve the IAAF and its members and give no less than 100 percent when helping to set policies and protect the aftermarket.”

Having sold his business in 2015, the new IAAF vice president is now managing director at Savva Automotive, an aftersales consultancy business working with both retail and aftermarket organisations, as well as delivering public speaking presentations and writing for automotive trade publications.

Wendy Williamson, IAAF chief executive said: “It is with pleasure that I welcome Andy to his new role. His experience speaks for itself and I am confident that he will do an excellent job of protecting the rights and needs of the automotive aftermarket. Andy’s passion and in-depth industry knowledge makes him the ideal candidate for the job and I wish him every success as both vice-president and then president.”