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> Pictures from last year's conference

Following the success of last year's inaugural event, AM has joined forces with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) to run the second People Conference.

The conference, which takes place on June 11, 2015 at The Park Plaza Riverbank in London, remains unique in the automotive retail sector and will explore the greatest asset of all businesses – its people.

Taking place before AM's renowned AM100 Dinner, the conference will take a closer look at a host of people related issues from employee engagement to training and development, legislation and recruitment.

The IMI’s chief executive Steve Nash will open the conference and will present the organisation’s ’10 Principles of People Management’, which it has developed as a quick guide or easy reference for employers and HR managers and directors.

The programme is currently being formulated but as well as Nash, includes Greenhous’ HR manager Nahara Hanson who will share how many of the group’s current leaders were first employed on the former YTS schemes and how a new generation are being nurtured on apprenticeships.

Professor Jim Saker, director of the Centre for Automotive Management, will explore how the sector can encourage youngsters into automotive retail including winning over educationalists and parents whilst also taking a closer look at how the industry itself can create a more structured career progression for those employed in aftersales.

AM editor Jeremy Bennett said: “As part of our job at AM, we interview practically all the top directors in automotive retail and they invariably say the same thing: the key to their success and strength is the people who work in their businesses.

"At the same time, many dealers cite recruitment and staff retention as one of the biggest challenges they face for growth. This led us to launch, along with our partners the IMI, at the forefront of creating a more professional sector with initiatives such as industry-wide accreditations, the People Conference.

“The conference allows us to explore ways in which we can create a profitable and sustainable workplace which also delivers a healthy work-life
balance, rewards and benefits as well as career progression. We will be exploring new ways of working, flexible working and new thinking.”

This year’s conference explores the modern workplace and looks at how it may change to meet the challenges of today and beyond as well as taking a closer look at the current issues and potential solutions.
 
Tickets are available to dealers and manufacturers, with a limited number of supplier tickets on sale. To book, please contact Emma-Louise Kinnaird on 01733 395133, email emma-louise.kinnaird@bauermedia.co.uk or visit www.ampeopleconference.co.uk.