Ben Cardy, previously quality manager at Thatcham, has now become head of its Automotive Academy.

Cardy who joined Thatcham in 2004 played a role in the development of PAS 125 and more recently coordinated the opening of Thatcham’s Panel and Vehicle Damage Assessor Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) testing facility in Nuneaton.

He will combine the running of Thatcham’s Technical and Apprentice training operations, ATA testing and forge alliances with other training providers.

Reporting to Thatcham’s chief operating officer, Jason Moseley, Cardy’s role will be to ensure the curriculum offered by Thatcham reflects the needs of the crash repair sector.

“I have seen the demands on UK repairers and engineers grow enormously over the last few years; this new role gives me the opportunity to guide the acknowledged skills of the Thatcham trainers to meet those demands and to support an industry that has signalled, by its drive for Kitemark accreditation, that it expects the best from the best.”