Senior managers from the motor industry will be gathering at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on March 28 2001, for a strategic briefing on Block Exemption and the selective/exclusive distribution system.

Organised by Sewells Information & Research, publisher of 'best practice' newsletters and reports for motor retailers, it will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum near Birmingham on March 28.

Sewells' non-executive chairman Ron Sewell will chair the meeting, which is sponsored by GE Capital Woodchester Finance and which will focus on helping motor retailers to plan for a successful future.

The briefing will include presentations from senior executives on all sides of the industry, and will conclude with an action plan for confronting the challenges that the Block Exemption review in September 2002 is certain to bring.

Speakers include:

  • Tod Evans, managing director of Peugeot Motor Company
  • Clive Sutton, chairman and chief executive of Clive Sutton Group
  • Phil Evans, senior policy advisor of the Consumer Association
  • David Evans, president of CECRA, the European dealer association, and chief executive of UK dealer association the Retail Motor Industry Federation
  • Marc Greven, legal affairs advisor of ACEA, the European vehicle manufacturers' trade association
  • Stephan Pukas, case officer at the Office of Fair Trading, responsible for enforcing the new Competition Act in the motor vehicles sector
  • Kevin Turnbull, managing director of Autobytel.co.uk
  • William Tacon, a partner at Ernst & Young

    There will also be plenty of opportunity for questions and lively debate.

    Commenting on the event, GE Capital Woodchester's managing director Gerard Ryan said: “GE is recognised throughout the world for its ability to manage change effectively.

    “Our industry has seen unprecedented change over the last few years which will be accelerated by the review of Block Exemption. Our growth is inherently linked to our ability to help our customers grow and our ability to understand and adapt to any changes which Block Exemption brings are a key part of this process.

    "We are delighted to be working with Sewells in the delivery of what will be the authoritative voice of the industry in this debate.”

    The cost of attending the briefing is £199+ VAT, or £149 + VAT for Sewells subscribers. Contact Berta Collins at Sewells for details on 01733 467 182 or at bertac@automotive.emap.co.uk.