Director profiles

Non-executive directors

David Billings, 62, is a solicitor and was a partner at Rigbey Loose and Mills (later Rigbeys) between 1971 and 1996. When that firm merged with Irwin Mitchell he became a lead partner and head of the corporate and commercial division in Birmingham. David left Irwin Mitchell in 2002 and since March of that year has practiced as a consulting partner at BPE, a firm of solicitors. David currently holds a number of directorships and was appointed a non-executive director of Bristol & London in March 2000.

Robert Bailey, 38, joined Bristol & London as Company Secretary in 1999 and was appointed a non-executive director in March 2002. Robert is a solicitor and has experience of and specialises in corporate transactions. Robert is also company secretary of a number of other public and private companies and is a partner at Hacking Ashton LLP, a firm of solicitors.

David Hobdey, 42, joined the board in September 2004. He is a chartered accountant and currently a corporate finance partner with Brown Butler, an independent firm of accountants in Leeds. He has a broad background in corporate finance together with experience gained in industry and holds other quoted and private company directorships.

Executive directors

Robert Woods, 58, joined the board in March 2000 as Executive Chairman. He spent over 30 years with National Westminster Bank Group Plc, becoming a deputy regional director with Lombard North Central with responsibility for managing the sales and administration unit, and specifically for developing business in the contract hire and vehicle financing market.

Richard Abel, 44, Chief Executive, established Bristol & London at the beginning of 1999 after a background in sales and marketing, with the majority of his career being spent as an independent financial adviser. His enthusiasm for prestige cars led him to set up the company, having been a victim of a non-fault accident.

Lewis Ross, 54, joined the board as part-time Finance Director in September 2004. He is a Chartered Accountant and has been both a partner in private practice and Finance Director of a number of private and public companies.

Sharon Hinallas, 35, has 19 years' experience in the bodyshop and vehicle repair industry. Sharon joined Bristol & London in April 2000 as a business development manager and in March 2001 was appointed Sales Director. Sharon gained her experience in the credit hire industry with Accident Assistance Limited, where she was business development manager until March 2000.