Alistair Jeff joins the Board of RTC Automotive

Former CDK partner programme director and CitNow commercial director, Alistair Jeff, has joined the board of RTC Automotive.

Jeff, most recently a consultant at CDK Global International, GardX International, Autofinity and HR Owen, has been appointed commercial director of RTC.

His appointment follows another board change which sees Mike Whitney, formerly the company’s IT director, step into the new role of chief technology officer.

The 2020 RTC Consumer Survey found that 75% of motorists still see a face-to-face aftersales service as 'the norm', despite car retailers' introduction of increased digitalisation to maintain COVID-19 social distancing.

Last year, RTC launched a new software package that enables aftersales customers to check-in digitally for a contactless handover.

The new board members will work closely with RTC’s chief operating officer, Richard Robinson, who was recently promoted to the role and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the business and the welfare of employees and customers.

Together, they will report directly to the company chief executive, Tim Baumfield.

Baumfield said the pair offer considerable experience and expertise in franchise dealership operations and digitalisation that will enable the business to take advantage of opportunities to grow its customer base and form new technology partnerships.

He said: “Last year brought huge challenges for everyone in the industry and it gave us an opportunity to rethink our product roadmap, form new technological partnerships and work more closely with both dealerships and OEMs in accelerating digital efforts across the sector.

“With 30 years’ experience in the automotive market, Alistair has a rare depth of automotive experience and will bring a strong competitive edge to the development and expansion of RTC’s portfolio.

“Furthermore, with Mike Whitney also appointed to the Board, we are delivering on our promise to bring further technological capacity and opportunities to dealers nationwide, helping them overcome everything that life might throw at them.”

Jeff said: "With a very exciting product roadmap in place for its portfolio, a collaborative and dealer-focused strategy moving forward, and some of the most experienced and passionate people in the team, I am hugely excited about what we can expect to achieve on behalf of our customers throughout the next twelve months."