Car retail management and leadership training and recruitment specialist GMD People is targeting growth under new ownership following its sale to former ASE Global business coach Paul Canning.

Canning’s acquisition of the business, which was incorporated in January 2001 by Nigel and Michelle Banister, was completed on July 1.

A statement issued by the business confirmed that Michelle and Nigel Banister’s sale of the business to Canning, who has over 30 years’ experience in retail automotive and he has been involved in some of the delivery of current GMD programmes. 

It said: “With the Automotive Industry going through significant change – electrification, Brexit, changing customer buying habits, pressures on volume targets, profitability and employee retention reducing – Paul sees opportunities to grow GMD further.

“The need to lead and manage change in the retail automotive sector is paramount. We know that the businesses with leaders that are able to demonstrate their ability in this area will be able to move ahead of the competition.

“There is a real opportunity for GMD to assist in developing these retail managers into people leaders, after all, GMD has a very successful track record of doing just this.”

GMD is an approved centre for management and leadership with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Since its incorporation nearly two decades ago, the business has successfully worked with various organisations in the automotive sector to develop its management and leadership capabilities.

GMD has also achieved success in the Public and Charitable sectors too, supporting management development and recruitment activities.

GMD has forged term relationships with clients including British Car Auctions (BCA), Vauxhall Motors, Volkswagen Group and Mercedes-Benz.