The IMI announces Executive Team for changing automotive landscape

The Institute of the Motor Industry has announced the strategic transition of its Executive Team to position the organisation for the challenges and opportunities ahead in the automotive sector.

The new Executive Team will provide strategic and day-to-day direction for the organisation’s 118 employees and more than 110,000 members, enabling the IMI Board to begin recruiting a permanent Executive Team within the next 12 months.

During this period of transition, which came into effect on 1st July 2024, the Board has appointed Kevin Finn, who has been Chair of the IMI since 2020, in the newly created role of Executive Chair. Azlina Bulmer has been appointed as Managing Director with responsibility for the overall management, organisation and staffing of the IMI. Simon Barrell has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer.

Steve Nash will remain as CEO, with a revised remit to solely focus on supporting and maintaining IMI’s external influence, before stepping down once a suitable replacement has been recruited.

Commenting on the creation of the new Executive Team, Kevin Finn said: “As the professional body for people in automotive, the IMI remains committed to our community of over 110,000 members and the future success of the sector. The combination of insight and expertise from outside the industry alongside the wealth of automotive and skills experience already on our Board puts the IMI in the strongest position to help our members and the wider automotive community prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“We would also like to thank Steve Nash for his long-standing commitment, having been directly involved at the Institute for over 22 years, as Chairman, President and, since January 2013, CEO.”

Azlina Bulmer joined the IMI earlier this year as Interim Chief Operating Officer, bringing a wealth of strategic and operational experience in the professional membership space. Recent roles have included Executive Director of Membership & Engagement at the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and Director of International at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). She is also an Associate Non-Executive Director at the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. 

Simon Barrell is a qualified chartered accountant and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He has held various posts as Finance Director and has experience across multiple industries working in both the public and private sectors.