IAAF restructures after Board walk out

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation is undergoing an internal restructuring less than a year after being spawned from the ADF.

The move has been forced after “a number” of key directors resigned from the Board.

It is unclear exactly what prompted the mass walkout but it came after Brian Spratt, head of the IAAF’s distributor division, handed in his notice over contractual complaints.

He has since resumed his duties at the Federation.

Spratt had been the lead executive at the ADF and had served there for 18 years, first joining when it was called the Motor Factors Association back in 1992.

When the ADF became the IAAF in a bid to attract independent garages into membership, his role changed to that of a divisional director, something he disputes.

In October, the IAAF issued a press release announcing its intention to appoint a chief executive, a position that Spratt had believed was his.

The release read: “The progress at the IAAF, since its launch away from the Automotive Distribution Federation, is such that to execute the next stage of the strategic plan, there is a need for a full-time chief executive to take overall command on behalf of its members of all three IAAF divisions, and lead the organisation in a cohesive and focused direction.”

Following the resignations, Brian Spratt agreed to return to the IAAF, although whether or not this is a long-term move and in what capacity he will serve has not yet been resolved.

David Russell, spokesman for the IAAF and owner of Camberley Auto Factors, confirmed that “a number of” directors had resigned their positions because they “felt they had done all they could for the Federation”.

He said that a Board restructure was now underway and that “a core contingent” of remaining Board members would oversee the running of the Federation until a new team is appointed in January.

“These are challenging times for the independent aftermarket,” he said. “And we’ve got to make sure we are fit to move forward.

“I’m more positive about the future than I was last week and we hope to be in a position to make a further statement in the coming days.”