Richard Steer Email & Phone Number

After spending 5 years integrating six independent distribution businesses into the largest supplier of refinish products to the UK body repair industry within the hugely successful LKQ Corporation empire, the opportunity presented itself to become involved as a bodyshop group operator. Changing customer expectations, vehicle technology, repair methodology and processes have created a rapidly evolving and dynamic market place in this £6bn industry and I’m delighted to be a part of that evolution and all the opportunities it creates.As the move towards autonomous and alternatively fuelled vehicles accelerates, the landscape for each stakeholder in the value and supply chains alter at an alarming rate. It’s essential for the safety and well being of the vehicle owner that cars are repaired in an economic, responsible and safe manner with the appropriate equipment and standards that underpin this philosophy. As winners of the British Standards Institute Bodyshop of the Year Award we have a proven track record and commitment to this ethos and from here we can build a bodyshop group that’s fit for purpose and able to meet the forthcoming changes that the industry faces.Our vision is to create a measurably different repair experience and I’m excited by this opportunity and look forward to growing Steer Automotive Group into the repairer of choice for our colleagues, clients and their customers.

Dordon, England, Gb

After 14 years of growing JCA Coatings Ltd into the largest supplier of paint and consumable products to the UK body repair industry JCA was part of a strategic acquisition of six companies by the US giant LKQ Corporation which completed in August 2013. This acquisition propelled LKQ into the collision repair sector making them three times larger than any other player in the UK market. The six businesses were fully integrated under one identity, LKQ Coatings, within Euro Car Parts and operated with over 350 dedicated refinish staff from 26 branches.

From a single site operation based in Slough, I established JCA as the largest distributor to the UK refinish market with branches across the southern half of the UK. JCA was part of the strategic acquisition by LKQ Corporation in August 2013 which saw them acquire six independent businesses on one day to form the largest single supplier to the UK body repair market overnight. I was asked to lead the new team as we continue our strategic plans and development in the collision repair sector.

I was part of the team that trebled Grove's turnover and established them as a key player in the refinish industry.

As part of a 10 year career at ICI Paints Division PLC, I was involved in the launch of Aquabase the World's first waterborne refinish coating.

B/Tec Ond, Business Studies

B/Tec Hnc, Business Studies