6 AFTERMARKET DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024 www.aftermarketonline.net Ben to sell care home following strategic review Ben is looking to sell its four care homes, following a strategic review, as part of a new five-year plan. Ben’s Board of Trustees and Executive team have issued this statement: “Through a recent strategic review process, Ben’s Board of trustees reflected on the changing context for people working in the automotive industry and the impact that it is having, and will have, on their health and wellbeing. In light of the growing demand for Ben’s health and wellbeing services, the Board concluded that over the next 5–10-year period, the priority of the charity will be to significantly increase these services for industry people and their family dependents. This will entail enhancing and accelerating both our reactive and preventative health and wellbeing support services and driving increased impact and engagement across the automotive industry. We will be in a position to share our plans for these developments over the future months. “Establishing Ben’s future focus has required a fundamental review of all Ben’s current services. Our care, and latterly village, services have been an integral and valued part of the charity for over 70 years. Both the Board and Executive team are extremely proud of these services and the excellent reputation they have achieved over the years. After very careful consideration, the Board, supported by Ben’s Executive team, has unanimously concluded that now is the right time to recommend the transfer of these services to the stewardship of new operators. We believe this will ensure that these services and our employees working in them have the very best opportunity to continue to flourish, develop and thrive going forward.” Ben CEO Zara Ross added: “The announcement marks a significant period of change for our charity, but we believe now is the right time for us to make this commitment.” Aftermarket’s Editor Alex Wells was one of the winners at the inaugural Self-driving Industry Awards, held at the Turner Contemporary in Margate on 17 November. Presented by Carsofthefuture.co.uk, the Self-driving Industry Awards is focused on promoting connected and automated mobility (CAM). Alex received his Special Recognition Award as a result of Aftermarket’s ongoing coverage of the roll-out of automated vehicle technology via the Aftermarket of the Future section. He observed: “With technology like ADAS already standard on new cars, it is important for garages to keep an eye on where tech is taking automotive as we move forward.” Carsofthefuture.co.uk Editor Neil Kennett added: “Self-driving is about to completely revolutionise how people and goods move. The tech is already about as safe as the average human driver, and it’s only going to get better. From a UK perspective, following the King’s Speech, we’ve got an incredible opportunity to define a successful, safety-first approach to rollout. “ The full list of winners was as follows: Vehicle of the Year: Project CAVForth Person of the Year: Alex Kendall, Wayve Consumer Champion: Rebecca Posner, CCAV Industry Legend: Professor Paul Newman CBE, Oxa Aftermarket Award: Jifeline Design Award: Dromos Hardware Award: Arbe Robotics Foundational Software Award: Applied EV Insurance Award: Marsh Legal Award: Burges Salmon LLP Research Award: Reed Mobility Sensing Software Award: LeddarTech Testing Award: Kodiak Robotics Trust Award: Angoka V2X Award: Beam Connectivity Special Recognition Award: Kenneth Clarke, Silvera Automotive Solutions Special Recognition Award: Alex Wells, Aftermarket Magazine Margate’s Mayor, Councillor Rob Yates, said his ambition for self-driving cars to ferry delegates from Margate Station to the Turner for 2024’s Self-driving Industry Awards. For more information, visit: https://carsofthefuture.co.uk/ Aftermarket Editor among winners at Self-driving Industry Awards NEWS In association with:
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