Cap HPI has said that the leadership of its UK car valuations team will remain “in exclennt hands” following the retirement of its head of forecast, Andrew Mee.

Mee has been a central figure of the valuations specialist’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic this year, alongside global senior forecasting editor Dylan Setterfield, but has decided to call time on his seven years with the business.

“It’s certainly been a year unlike any other, but I have had a wonderful career and I am sorry to say goodbye to everyone in the industry and at Cap HPI,” said Mee.

“I do know I am leaving our forecasts in excellent hands and our customers have no need to be concerned.”

Cap HPI said that the rest of its forecast team would remain in place following Mee’s retirement, with Setterfield, the original architect of its forecast methodology, maintaining overall responsibility for the UK team.

“I’d like to heartily thank Andrew for his sterling efforts over the last seven years, and we will certainly miss him, especially since current restrictions prohibit us from giving him a traditional Cap HPI send off,” said Setterfield.

“He deserves a long and happy retirement after his significant contribution to the industry.”

After a short stint in the Merchant Navy and then a longer spell as a Mathematics teacher, Mee began his automotive career with Lex Vehicle Leasing in 1983, before moving on to take responsibility for residual value setting and risk management at Lloyds TSB Autolease (which later became Lex Autolease).

He joined Cap HPI in 2013, initially impressing as commercial manager, before switching to lead the forecasting team in 2016.

Cap HPI managing director, Chris Wright, said: “I know that colleagues and customers alike will be very sorry to see Andrew go and I’d like to personally thank him for his outstanding contribution to Cap HPI.

“We wish him all the very best in his retirement and I know that Dylan and the UK forecast team will deliver a seamless transition for our customers.”