Friday October 7th, 9.15am – 11.00am
Session Details
The Chairman and Club Secretary will describe a 120-year long journey of innovation and tradition in the Royal Automobile Club, outlining its importance in underpinning identity and contributing to long-term success. They will argue that they are complementary not contradictory concepts in a Club, and that a “balance” or “blend” is necessary, giving examples of how this balance has been achieved.
Tom Purves
Educated at Daniel Stewart’s College Edinburgh, Tom completed a Student Engineering Apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce Car Division before spending a total of 19 years with the marque at home and overseas. In 1985 he joined the BMW Group as Sales Director in Britain and became Managing Director four years later. After a period at Rover Group he took responsibility for BMW Groups commercial Operations in the USA and the Americas. Career postings to Switzerland, Kuwait and the USA provided international experience. Tom retired from the Position of CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Goodwood (a BMW Company) in Spring of 2010.
After retiring from the BMW Group, Tom has been involved with several activities including lecturing as a visiting Professor at Canterbury Christchurch University, Board Membership of the Motor Sports Association and Chairmanship of The Royal Automobile Club and Scottish Motor Sports. These activities provide continuing links with the motor industry and education and are outlets for energy spent on topics of lifelong interest.
Miles Wade
Miles Wade is the Club Secretary of The Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall and Woodcote Park, providing facilities for 17,000 members across two distinctly different clubhouses and being recognised as the United Kingdom’s oldest motoring organisation. The Pall Mall ‘Town Clubhouse’ provides restaurants and bars, accommodation, private dining and sporting facilities, as well one of the finest swimming pools in London. The Woodcote Park ‘Country Clubhouse’ and estate provides similar facilities, as well as two 18-hole golf courses, squash and tennis courts. The Club conducts a wide range of sporting and social activities, alongside the extensive events calendar which includes the Epsom Derby, November Fireworks and London Motor Week, culminating in the internationally renowned London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
Previously, Miles was Chief Operating Officer of the Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, having served as a British Army cavalry officer for 33 years. His regimental service was principally in The King’s Royal Hussars, in Germany and Canada, his operational service in Belfast, Brunei, Cyprus and the Balkans, and he finished his career heading up the British Army’s communications, having commanded the Army Southern England region. He is an ambassador and trustee of two charities: Toe in the Water and the Army Sailing Association, delivering sail training for able and injured soldiers. He is married to Anderley with 3 children who now out-ski him off-piste.
Ashley Namihas
Regional Sales Director, Northern Europe, Citation Aircraft
As Regional Sales Director, Ashley Namihas is responsible for driving Citation aircraft sales across Northern Europe. Managing a sales and business development strategy to drive growth including customer account management, prospect development and the management of Cessna’s authorised sales representatives and channel partners.
Ashley began his career at Textron Aviation in 2013 and has worked in the aviation industry for over a decade. Prior to his current role at Textron Aviation, Ashley worked for five years at TAG Aviation Europe; he held the position of Area Sales Manager for two years until being promoted to Sales Director for Aircraft Management Services, a position he held for the next three years. From 2006 – 2008 Ashley worked his way up from Charter Sales Executive to Business Development Manager at Bookajet Aviation Ltd.
Ashley has a BSc Honours degree attained from the University of Wales, a Professional Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a number of business process and sales management qualifications.
Ashley resides in Hampshire, U.K.
