IAAF Honorary Treasurer Lawrence Bleasdale has also become Treasurer of European automotive aftermarket trade federation FIGIEFA.

The TMD Friction UK employee has been heavily involved with IAAF for many years, working as a member of the council and more recently as IAAF president, before assuming the role as Honorary Treasurer. Lawrence was elected at the FIGIEFA General Assembly, succeeding Wendy Williamson who has been FIGIEFA treasurer for the past six years.

The General Assembly also saw Cor Baltus elected President of FIGIEFA for a first term. He has more than 35 years in the automotive sector and serves currently as Managing Director for Alliance Automotive Group in the Benelux. He replaces Harmut Röhl, from the Germany’s association GVA, who had been President from 2012 (and previously from 2002 to 2006).

During the General Assembly, FIGIEFA reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that European and international legislations take into account the interests and the specificities of the independent automotive aftermarket, especially as we embrace simultaneously an unprecedented number of business and technology changes. Access to in-vehicle technical data, cybersecurity of connected vehicle and trade of spare parts, are essential issues that will continue to be addressed to enforce competition and consumer’s choice.

Lawrence said, “I am very pleased to have been elected Treasurer of FIGIEFA and look forward to continuing the close working relationship between our two Federations. The issues facing the UK and European aftermarkets are very much aligned and membership of and involvement with FIGIEFA will ensure the IAAF maintains its strong voice in support of the independent automotive aftermarket.”

Founded in 1955 and based in Brussels, FIGIEFA is the European federation representing the political interests of independent distributors of automotive spare parts towards European Union’s and United Nations’ institutions. It brings together 19 national associations, as well as leading market players.