AM today announces a full line-up of experts who will take to the stage in its F&I Theatre as part of its newly launched expo Automotive Management Live.

Free for dealer and manufacturer colleagues to attend, Automotive Management Live takes place at the Arena MK, Milton Keynes on November 16 and pre-registration is now live at www.automotivemanagementlive.co.uk- would-be delegates simply have to sign up in order to attend the day.

The F&I Theatre is sponsored by Alphera Financial Services and insurance provider Car Care Plan Group, both will provide their own specialist speakers who will explore consumer finance and insurance respectively.

Speakers will review the past year and consider what’s on the horizon for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in relation to the sector.

Four other speakers from both the automotive industry and those with expertise in other sectors will also take to the podium.

They are:

• Jerry Page, F&I director at Mercedes-Benz Retail;
• Andrew Smith, managing director of Customer Credit Advisory Services;
• Russell Kelsall, a partner with TLT Solicitors;
• Jonathan Rogers, partner at Taylor Wessing's Financial Services Regulatory Group.

Spencer Halil, director of Alphera Financial Services, said: “The Alphera team will be on hand to share our own thoughts on best practice, providing free access to some of our award-winning trainers through skills-oriented workshops that will deliver practical ideas that can be implemented in the dealership on the same day, as well as some ‘must-do’ finance top tips.”

Paul Newton, chief executive of Car Care Plan Group, said: “With increasing regulation and customer engagement, an online and social consumer base is changing the way in which buyers operate and purchase motoring services – AM Live provides the perfect opportunity to understand how the market is developing and what individual companies can do to make the most of those changes.”

Smith, who expects the FCA to revisit the automotive sector and place its practices under the microscope, will remind dealers to record everything and provide a clear audit trail should the FCA come calling. In the past 12 months, CCAS has identified a host of potential pitfalls including misunderstanding the four-day gap rule and ensuring correct procedures and full transparency with the customer is in place when handling business from brokers.

Page will review the past year in F&I from the dealer group perspective and will also remind dealers to ensure their houses are in order and not be tempted to revert to old practices which would now be considered non-compliant.

Page will look at how dealers manage Gap sales, the pay structure of sales staff and commission disclosure and discuss the sustainability of PCPs which continues to fuel new car registrations.

With the FCA due to consider the proposed transfer of remaining provisions of the Consumer Credit Act1974 by 2019, Kelsall will provide his thoughts on the possible rules and guidelines surrounding the regulation with particular emphasis on parts of the CCA's wording considered out of kilter with the needs of the modern day consumer and some provisions which are thought to be out-dated and draconian.

Rogers, who heads Taylor Wessing's Financial Services Regulatory Group providing specialist advice to banks, lenders, wealth advisers, e-money issuers, payment services firms, insurance companies and other institutions, will ask what the future holds for the industry in terms of financial services regulation and also discusses the possible impact for financial services post Brexit.

Automotive Management Live is a one-day expo where a host of suppliers, best practice sessions and the F&I theatre are available under one roof.

Automotive Management Live

Automotive Management Live is a one-day expo where a host of suppliers, best practice sessions and the F&I theatre are available under one roof. Free to attend for dealer and manufacturer delegates although pre-registration is required at the event website or contact Nicola Baxter by email nicola.baxter@bauermedia.co.uk  or call her on 01733 468289.

Website + tickets

www.automotivemanagementlive.co.uk

Venue

Arena MK, Milton Keynes MK1 1ST