Fix Auto UK has appointed a dedicated GDPR support team to help franchisees prepare for the implementation of new legislation.

Systems and process manager, Gary Churcher, has been appointed as the newly created head of compliance and will be supported by regional operations manager Andy Higgs.

In addition to on-site reviews and support visits to each of the Fix Auto franchisees, Fix Auto UK will also be hosting various activities in the early part of 2018 dedicated to this subject, and will also be introducing a series of bodyshop-specific GDPR and Compliance modules to its online training scheme.

Another resource available to all industry members is the AM GDPR conference, which will explore some of the detail through the eyes of compliance specialists, marketing gurus and data protection experts at the Doubletree Hotel, Milton Keynes, on February 22.

Fix Auto UK's director Ian Pugh (pictured) said: “General compliance and GDPR is in my view one of the biggest challenges facing the repair industry today. 

“But it is a minefield for any organisation, let alone a standalone bodyshop. Personal data protection is something we have always taken seriously but, with the introduction of GDPR looming and the ever-changing cyber security landscape, we are strengthening our support function to ensure we implement robust procedures across the network.

“The newly created team, coupled with our investment in training modules, will ensure that our network is ready well in advance of GDPR coming into force on May 25.

“ We take our data protection responsibilities extremely seriously, and want to be able to demonstrate the highest level of compliance to our insurer customers who entrust us with their policyholders’ details.”