The Retail Automotive Alliance is delighted to announce that David Bussey has been appointed to the role of Chairman with immediate effect. Outgoing Chair, AM Retailer of the Year and Best Group 2010, and Chairman of Lifestyle Europe, Marc Matthew announced the new appointment, saying: “It has been my privilege to serve as Chairman of the RAA for the past three years, during which time the Alliance has grown to become truly influential in the automotive world, bringing real benefits to our members and delivering annual savings of over £6.6m to shareholder members. I am delighted to welcome David Bussey to the role - I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chairman and welcome David’s appointment as a progressive step for the Alliance.”
During his time as Chairman of the RAA, Marc Matthew was also named Personality of the Year 2009 by the influential trade title AM.
David, MD of Busseys in Norwich, brings to the role considerable experience in the motor trade and says, “It is a challenging time for the motor industry in the current climate, and the added value we are able to deliver to our members is a testament to Marc Matthews’ hard work and dedication in the role over the past 39 months. Like Marc I am also one of the founding directors of the RAA, I am excited to be taking on this responsibility and look forward to building on membership and increasing our collective influence.”
With 27 years in the motor industry, David has been Managing Director of the independently owned, family-run dealership Busseys for the last 10 years. He is a fellow of the IMI and has an MSc in Automotive Management from Loughborough University. Busseys was founded in 1911 and is looking forward to its centenary next year. During that time, the dealership has grown to employ over 200 people and become a £65m turnover Ford and Peugeot Group with dealerships throughout Norfolk. According to David, the benefits that RAA membership brings to the motor trade are even more important in today’s climate, as the government’s scrappage scheme comes to an end and the uncertainty of coalition government and a new budget in a matter of weeks all combine to create a delicate balance in the UK economy.