– Autotrader data chief joins Automotive Insights
– Manchester-based firm strengthens with three senior hires
– Expansion sees firm move to larger Manchester offices
– Autotrader data chief joins Automotive Insights
– Manchester-based firm strengthens with three senior hires
– Expansion sees firm move to larger Manchester offices
Autotrader director Richard Walker has left the digital marketplace to join Automotive Insights as the fledgling firm expands its research business.
Manchester-based Automotive Insights & Research Services, which surveys more than 1,000 UK motorists each month, has confirmed the addition of three high-profile industry figures across research, product and advisory roles.
Walker, who joins as executive director of research, data and insights, brings more than 30 years’ experience in the UK automotive sector and has also joined the company’s advisory board, where he will help guide the firm’s data strategy and market insight development.
The news come four months after Autotrader’s chief operating officer Catherine Faiers announced plans to leave the company to take on a senior role at online greeting card and gifting platform Moonpig.
Former Autotrader executive joins
Walker’s background includes extensive expertise in data analytics, market research, web analytics and strategic development, including playing a key role in Autotrader’s transformation from a print publication to the UK’s largest digital automotive marketplace.
Walker commenting, said: “I became aware of Automotive Insights – a fantastic new business providing a highly valuable service in today’s ever-changing automotive landscape. Understanding consumers throughout both the purchasing journey and the ownership experience is critical for organisations operating in the automotive sector.
“Automotive Insights & Research Services delivers deep consumer understanding, tracking evolving behaviours, attitudes, and opinions specific to the automotive market and the brands within it over time. Its ability to unlock real consumer perspectives offers meaningful value to businesses seeking to stay competitive and customer-focused in a rapidly shifting environment”
New product and advisory leadership
The company, which last month revealed it was launching a car buyer insights service and had brought Chris Ashton-Green of Regit.cars onto its advisory board, has also appointed Needa Khan as director of product & client services. Khan previously worked at the London School of Economics and more recently at The Insights Family.
Khan said: “I’m excited to join a team that’s setting the standard for automotive insights. I am looking forward to collaborating with brilliant minds and pushing the industry forward with actionable, forward-thinking research.”
Investor Safe Hammad has also joined the business as a non-executive director after backing the company. “I was struck by the breadth of the team they have built drawing from both academia and the business world, and by the unique tools they have built which are already delivering insights with such quality and actionable value to customers,” he said.
Nick Richardson, executive director of Automotive Insights & Research Services, added: “I am delighted to welcome Richard, Needa and Safe to the team, all of them will play a key role in delivering our growth plans and politely disrupting the automotive market intelligence sector”
As part of its expansion, the company has also moved into new offices at Campfield House in the Castlefield area of Manchester.
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