Steve Nash, currently aftersales director of BMW, will be joining the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) as its new chief executive from January next year.

Nash has been a non-executive member of the IMI Group board in the role of president since 2009 and five years before that as chairman.

The IMI told AM Nash's appointment will not be a direct replacement for Sarah Sillars who will leave the IMI as executive chair at the end of this year.

Nash was also awarded AM’s 2012 Personality of the Year in recognition of his role in the industry to develop professional standards.

He has led the IMI through periods of change and has been instrumental in its relicensing the IMI’s Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the automotive retail sector in 2009.

Adrian Smith, IMI chair elect, said: “With his extensive sector experience and his track record in supporting the organisation through change, he is ideally placed to lead the next phase in the IMI’s ambitious plans.

“Steve is also fully committed to the value of Registered Professionals in our sector, which will raise the profile of thousands of skilled individuals working in the retail automotive sector. We set our sights high and were delighted to be able to select Steve from an exceptionally strong field of candidates.”

Steve has worked in the motor industry on both retail and manufacturing sides since graduating in 1977.

He joined BMW in 1986 and has been a director of the company since 1997, including a period as group aftersales director, looking after the Rover and Land Rover brands.

Nash said: “This is a very exciting step in my career. After a long association with the IMI as a non-executive board member I am delighted to be able to apply that experience, along with my broad sector knowledge, to the full time role of leading the Institute.

“Huge strides have been made at Fanshaws in the last 10 years and I am looking forward to maintaining that momentum and shaping a future direction which will ensure our success in the years ahead.”

Nash will work with the IMI executive team to progress IMI’s role as the professional body, an SSC and the industry’s leading awarding body (IMI Awards).