The IMI finalises recruitment of new executive and board with appointment of Chief Financial Officer

Rose Butterworth brings diverse industry expertise to help drive growth and meet future industry needs

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has announced the appointment of Rose Butterworth as Chief Financial Officer, effective from 13th October 2025. Appointed by Nick Connor, CEO, Rose brings vast experience both from within and outside automotive.

Her appointment completes the ambitious reshaping of the IMI’s executive and board to ensure the organisation is fit for purpose to support automotive talent as the sector evolves. It also sees the organisation meeting the Automotive 30% Club’s goal of achieving 30% female representation at senior leadership level with 4 of the 13 newly appointed board members women, a significant milestone in driving greater diversity across the sector.

Rose is a Chartered Global Management Accountant and a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants with over 25 years operational and senior leadership experience. She worked for more than a decade at Volkswagen Group UK, developing the retail network for Audi UK and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Key achievements included driving best practice, raising retailer profitability and launching a pioneering program that recognised the value of the individual and the importance of the customer experience in retail sustainability, ‘Every Moment Matters’.

Rose also brings a wealth of experience in change management and financial optimisation, as well as having considerable experience in the not-for-profit sector. Her most recent role was at Badminton England, an organisation focussed on people and community, dedicated to the sport at all levels, from grass roots to Olympic podium.

“I feel privileged to be joining the IMI at this time of great change, both within the organisation and the industry,” said Rose Butterworth. “I am excited to be working alongside the exceptional talents of Nick Connor (CEO), Ben Hill (Chair of the Audit & Risk Management Committee), Graeme Potts (Chair) and the wider Board as the organisation supports individuals building their careers in the automotive world. With a solid foundation of transparent governance and financial integrity and building on the values that make it the world leader it is today, I believe the IMI can drive sustainable change for the sector.

Nick Connor, CEO of the IMI added: “We are delighted to welcome Rose to the IMI board. Her experience will be immensely valuable as we focus on the future needs of the automotive industry and our members. I would also like to thank Daksh Gupta who, as Chair of the Nominations Committee, has helped us create a powerhouse board. We now have first-hand access to a wealth of skills who collectively bring diversity and experience from inside and outside the automotive ecosystem, that will ensure we can continue to grow the IMI’s influence and portfolio of services to meet the requirements of a fast-changing automotive landscape.”