When the UK is faced with unprecedented economic and political turmoil impacted by wider global events, it is almost impossible to gain the clarity needed for effective business planning, but economist Dr Rebecca Harding will attempt to slice through the uncertainty at Automotive Management Live 2022 this Thursday.

Taking to the stage as part of the Inspiration Theatre at AM Live, which takes place at Birmingham NEC, Harding will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of domestic and global factors that are impacting the automotive industry and the impact on the UK franchised network.

One of the most respected international economists today, Harding will outline global challenges as the Russian war in Ukraine is affecting the supply chain, energy costs and price rises. Other factors continue to have an impact, such as the Ever Given, which ran aground in the Suez Canal in March last year since the route is vital for shipping between China and Europe adding to supply chain woes.

Closer to home, concerns facing automotive retail including trends around consumer borrowing unsecured lending and real wages; the commercial property sector; and decisions by OEMs such as BMW’s announcement that the electric Mini will be made in China, will be examined.

Harding, a former chief economist at the British Banking Association said: “To some extent retailers are victims of all this rather than people who are in a position to effect a change but what business leaders need to do is understand how it all impacts their sector and their own franchises.”

She will take a closer look at some of the opportunities dealers may have such as reacting to people’s concerns and meeting the needs of customers looking to downsize their vehicle, reduce their monthly repayments with a less expensive vehicle or switch to a more fuel-efficient model.

She added: “This will be a talk which delivers a very practical understanding of what’s going on in the world and how it is relevant to your business as it can be very confusing and even overwhelming. I am hoping to provide a moment of clarity whereby audiences can take away some insights and apply them to their business to help them deal with the situation on a very practical level.

“I am aiming to sift through all the information so they don’t have to, but in a way that helps automotive retailers going forward.”

AM Live is free for retailer and manufacturer delegates by registering for entry via the AM Live website.