Speaker programme announced for VRA’s “2020 Vision” seminar as event reaches capacity

The speaker programme for the Vehicle Remarketing Association’s “2020 Vision” seminar has been announced as the event reaches capacity with the final delegate spaces booked.

More than 150 industry professionals are expected to attend The Slate at Warwick University on Wednesday 27th November to hear a programme designed to help equip them to meet the challenges facing the sector in the coming year.

The day, sponsored by Cazana, starts with Justin Benson, UK Head of Automotive, KPMG on The Economy in 2020; Rob Severs, VP Data and Insight, iVendi on How Online Motor Retail Will Develop in the Year Ahead; and Louisa Bell, General Manager UK, Avis Budget Group on From Ownership to Usership.

Nora Leggett, Head of Member Services, BVRLA will speak on The Latest Thinking on Inspection Standards; Paul Marchment, Senior Business Manager, Arval on How Hydrogen is Developing; and Paul Jennings, Lead for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, WMG on Future Mobility, The Opportunities and the Challenges.

They will be followed by Max Stolton, Industry Manager, Google, on Consumer Buying Behaviour and Matt Freeman, Managing Consultant at CAPhpi Consulting on EV and Hybrid Volumes in the Next Five Years.

Finally, there will be two head-to-head debate sessions with David Bailey, Professor of Business Economics at Birmingham Business School and specialist motor industry journalist Neil Winton looking at Brexit – Opportunity or Disaster? The second debate will examine the question, Auto Retail in 2020 – Potential Minefield or Unique Opportunity?

Sam Watkins, chair at the VRA, said: “This is the biggest seminar event that we have held to date and the delegate places have been taken in record time. It is a very strong vote of confidence in the credibility and expertise of the VRA by the remarketing sector.

“We believe that the VRA is today more relevant than ever been before, something that we are seeing in growing member numbers. The used car and van sectors are facing levels of change and disruption that have been not been seen for many, many years – perhaps ever.

“In the short to medium term, there are the effects of Brexit and possible recession to consider, the rise of EVs and mobility, and greater use of online retailing. Looking further ahead, there are hydrogen cars, autonomous vehicles, new charging technologies and more.

“We have speakers covering all of these subjects and more during 2020 Vision in a format that is designed to be fast and informative, providing as much information as possible within a day to our members and other delegates ranging from fleets to manufacturers and dealers to leasing companies. It should be a fascinating day.”