The former UK business editor of the Financial Times has been confirmed as the chairman of the AM Financial Management Conference for Dealerships.

Editorial consultant John Willman was appointed UK business editor of the Financial Times in April 2006 having held several senior positions since joining the title in 1991.

His other roles at the FT have included chief leader-writer, banking editor, consumer industries editor, features editor and public policy editor.

Willman, a past winner of the Financial Journalist of the Year Award at the British Press Awards, will ensuring delegates get the maximum value from the conference, which will be focusing on the future financial challenges facing dealerships.

The AM Financial Management for Dealerships Conference will review issues ranging from obtaining adequate funding to managing cashflow and minimising the growing risk of financial fraud.

 

Among the speakers at the event will be leading economic expert Max Warburton, analyst at Bernstein, who will provide an exclusive industry overview to help dealers pinpoint the key issues that will affect the market.

Other experts at the conference, sponsored by Grant Thornton, include:

 Daniel Taylor, partner, Grant Thornton Automotive Services
 Peter Cottle, managing director, Finance Torque
 Simon Cotton, products, pricing & marketing director, Black Horse
 Lance Bradley, managing director, Mitsubishi Motors UK
 Julie Oliver, group financial director, Mitchell Group
 Stephanie Murdoch, managing director, Alliance Consultancy
 Mark Nuttall, general manager, Experian Automotive
 Ashley Winter OBE, chief executive officer, Retail Automotive Alliance
 Barry Cooper, managing director, Cooper Solutions

Issues covered on the day will include funding, business strategy, legislation, leasing and contract hire, tackling fraud, expense reduction and best practice.

Jeremy Bennett, editor of AM, said: “Running a dealership requires very careful financial management if profit margins are to be protected.

“The AM Financial Management Conference for Dealerships provides expert advice and insight that will help keep your business profitable and flexible enough to cope with the changing economic conditions we are facing.”

Log on to www.am-finance.co.uk for more details.

Alternatively, contact Kate Howard by telephoning 01733 468146 or email kate.howard@bauermedia.co.uk.