First female President of SIMI in 98 year history
By Maurice Garvey
GILLIAN Fanning, Marketing Director of Tallaght automotive distributor Serfac Limited, was elected President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
Ms Fanning, who has over 20 years experience in leading blue-chip companies is the first female President of SIMI in the society’s 98 year history.
Gillian Fanning, Marketing Director of Serfac Limited was elected President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry
Elected at the organisation’s recent AGM, which was held virtually, Gillian said she was “looking forward to her term as president despite the significant challenges currently facing the industry”.
“The past decade has been difficult for the Irish motor industry. Recovery from the 2008 financial crisis has not been in line with economic outlooks and while we had reason to be optimistic at the start of 2020, Covid-19 has since had a devastating impact on our industry.
“Thankfully some of us are back at work since May 18, with those members ensuring that they meet Covid-19 protocol guidelines, we need all elements of the industry operational again particularly NCT testing.
“To this end, SIMI is pressing for the early re-opening of NCT Centres even at a reduced capacity to allow for health and safety protocol and is also making the case for the CVRT system to be fully operational as soon as possible. These are not just business issues but also have important road safety implications.”
For Ms Fanning, a Director of her family-run automotive business Serfac Limited since 2009, the reopening of servicing and sales is welcomed with the “critical July registration period approaching” to help generate revenue to protect some 45,000 employed in the industry.
SIMI are looking for a continuation of Government supports, including the extension of the temporary Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme and the cancellation of commercial business rates until normal business resumes.
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