Motor Codes has appointed Ron Gainsford OBE, chief executive of Trading Standards Institute (TSI), as chairman of the Independent Compliance Assessment Panel (ICAP).

ICAP supervises the work of Motor Codes as part of Government requirements for Motor Codes’ self-regulation of the automotive retail, service and repair and warranty sectors.

Taking up his position in the New Year, Gainsford will work to monitoring each code, concentrating efforts on the growth of the service and repair code and ensuring subscriber standards continue to be met and maintained.

Gainsford takes over the position from retiring industry stalwart, Alec Murray.

Chris Mason, Motor Codes director, said: “Government and industry already recognise Motor Codes’ achievements in raising standards for the motorist, through self-regulation.

“Now, with Ron’s Trading Standards expertise, we will bring about even greater peace of mind for motorists, while delivering an environment within which the best businesses can flourish.”

ICAP acts as a check and balance on the operations of Motor Codes and fulfils Government requirement for an independent monitoring and compliance board.

Meeting quarterly, to assess the performance of subscribers and review code content, ICAP identifies code breaches and imposes sanctions for non-compliance. It also acts as an advisory body, making recommendations on current best practice, with a view to minimising inconvenience to the motorist.

Gainsford said: “The Trading Standards Institute has worked with the automotive industry for many years now, to encourage and support improvement in its transactions with consumers.
“We want to continue to see progress and for consumers and the sector to benefit from the growing confidence that the robust and successful Motor Codes will bring to the market. At a time of extraordinary economic challenge, the need for mutual confidence can rarely have been more important.”