Alison Jones, Stellantis senior vice president and country manager UK, is to head up the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) as its new president.

Alison Jones, Stellantis country manager UK and senior vice president, becomes the 82nd president of the SMMT

Her appointment to the new position follows a year-long tenure as vice-president and will take effect from 1 January 2022.

She will continue to act in her existing roles of Stellantis senior vice-president and country manager UK, assumed in March this year, and becomes the 82^nd president of the SMMT.

Jones brings a diverse background across some of the UK’s largest automotive brands; she was previously appointed group managing director of Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles in the UK and senior vice-president for Groupe PSA. She has also held senior roles in the VW Group, including managing director for Volkswagen, and is a vice-president for the Institute of Customer Service, a role held since 2013.

Commenting on her plans for the SMMT over the next year, she said: “It continues to be pivotal and exciting times for our industry as we drive technological developments and customer experiences, respond to regulatory changes, and adapt to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and post-Brexit world.

“2021 has continued to be challenging and demonstrates why it is key we have a strong trade body such as SMMT to represent and drive progress for us all, advancing our interests with governments and organisations, and to ensure we have a positive impact for our members, industry, country economy and people in our communities.”