Senior car retail sector business leaders from Vertu Motors, TrustFord, AutoTrader and JudgeService feature in the speaker line-up for the National Franchised Dealers Association’s (NFDA) Driving Digital 2023 conference.

Hosted at Central Hall Westminster, London, on the morning of the 2023 AM Awards on 11 May, the Auto Trader sponsored event will address the impact of digitisation, electrification and agency on retailers and car buyers.

Held in association with JudgeService, Driving Digital – now in its twelfth year – takes place from 9.30am to 1.30pm.

Keynote speakers include Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors; Julia Greenhough, marketing director of TrustFord; Ian Plummer, commercial director of Auto Trader; David Bailey, professor of Business Economics at the Birmingham Business School; and Neil Addley, managing director of JudgeService.

“Over the years Driving Digital has seen, and often predicted, the digital transformation of the retail automotive sector,” said Sue Robinson, chief executive of the NFDA.

“Following the success of last year’s sell-out event, May’s Driving Digital promises to be our biggest yet. This year, we focus on how successful retailers are maximising their digital and physical channels to steer through these challenging times,” she said.

Among the topics to be discussed by Forrester will be Vertu Motors’ efforts to enhance customer experience, using technology and the human touch.

Bailey will provide an economic perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the automotive sector as it battles through the inflationary pressures of the last 12 months.

Plummer’s session will present insight gathered from the UK’s biggest automotive platform and recent research to reveal current consumer behaviour. He will also predict the short and medium term trends and headwinds facing the sector.

Also from Auto Trader, Marc Palmer, brand director will talk about the electric vehicle revolution.

Julia Greenhough will examine the resilience of UK consumers from a marketing perspective.

And Neil Addley, will share the findings from the latest JudgeService YourPoll Marketing Panel revealing consumer expectations as the sector transitions to electrification in sales and aftersales.

Addley said: “With the fast pace of change impacting the franchised dealer sector, accelerated by electrification and the transition for some to agency, we’ve helped assemble some of the most informed speakers in the business who will be sharing their thoughts and best practices.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming colleagues from across the sector ahead of celebrating our industry’s achievements over the last 12 months at the AM Awards.”

To book a free place at the NFDA Driving Digital conference, or find out more about the event, visit www.driving-digital.co.uk.