Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) chief executive Mark Field has become the latest member of the Automotive 30% Club.

The club is a voluntary group of managing directors (MDs) and chief executive officers (CEOs) from automotive manufacturing, retailing and supplier companies looking to create fair gender representation throughout the industry.

The club was founded by Julia Muir, CEO of Gaia Innovation, with the purpose of achieving a better gender balance within the automotive industry, and with the aim of filling at least 30% of key leadership positions in the member organisations with women by 2030.

Field added: “The Automotive 30% Club is an incredibly important initiative and I’m looking forward to working alongside such a progressive team as their latest member in helping to champion gender diversity throughout the industry.

“Diversity and inclusivity are values that are fundamental to a successful work environment – fair representation within the workforce is very high on IAAF’s agenda and is essential for strong business growth throughout the wider automotive aftermarket.

“There are so many opportunities for this sector to thrive long into the future and it is therefore imperative that as an industry we work together to ensure that not only do women feel encouraged to enter the automotive aftermarket, but that they play key roles in helping to shape the narrative.”

With more than 20 years’ experience in the automotive aftermarket, Field joined the IAAF as chief executive in 2021.

Muir added: “I'm very pleased to announce that Mark is joining the club.

“The IAAF represents the entire automotive aftermarket chain, comprising manufacturers, suppliers, warehouse distributors, buying groups, motor factors and independent garages, and its prime function is to promote and secure the future of the independent automotive aftermarket to the benefit of their members and the sector.

“Mark has recognised that a strategy of increasing diverse female representation has a critical role to play in the future success of the UK aftermarket, and we will work together to inform IAAF members on how to tap into the business benefits of gender balance."

James Wilkinson, Zuto CEO has also recently joined the Automotive 30% Club, while Agustín Martín, president and MD of Toyota GB, has become a patron of the club.