Automechanika Awards Jury

GRAHAM THRELFALL – AkzoNobel

Graham is an experienced automotive industry professional with over 30 years of experience gained within the global automotive sector with specialism in the collision repair and motor insurance claims sectors.

With extensive experience of the automotive industry gained working with a number of leading vehicle manufacturers, body repair groups and networks, motor insurance companies and automotive standards bodies. Graham’s experience has been gained starting by working in and managing  bodyshops in the UK, going on to join the Motor Vehicle Repairers Association (MVRA) in 1998 as a Programme Manager. From this position to head up the bodyshop and field services division, onto the eventual appointment as Business Director while the MVRA was under Capita Plc. 

Graham was then appointed as the Head of the RMI’s National Association of Bodyshops, the UK’s leading representative body for the body repair shops and groups, until joining IBIS and Plenham Ltd as Development Director in October 2012.

Within the past decade Graham has worked in and gained experience and working knowledge of a number of bodyshop market regions which include Europe, USA, South America, Asia Pacific and Middle East. Graham is based in the Middle East in his role as Global Key Account Manager for AkzoNobel covering the Middle East, India and Africa markets. 

ALAN WHALEY – AMENA Professional FZ-LLC

Alan is an automotive industry expert with over 32 years of experience in high output sales and performance management.

A true industry veteran with international experience, Alan has first-hand knowledge and experience on many levels of the industry, from the trenches doing sales to C suite decisions at OEMs, Importers, and Consultancies. 

Today, Alan is dedicated to raising industry standards through thought leadership and knowledge sharing through keynotes, public forums, and as Chairman of AMENA Automotive Association.

ABDULLA RASHED OBAID ALDAHAIL ALMHEIRI – Dubai Government Workshop

Abdulla Almheiri is experienced in Corporate Strategy & Excellence over 24 years; creative and rewarding experiences and at the same time maintaining high standards of performance and business ethics.

With extensive experience of the Event Management, Corporate Excellence, Customer Service, and Human Resources development he demonstrates exceptional leadership and team-building qualities with the skill for strategy execution and survey planning, mentoring, motivating, and supervising the team. Experienced in providing training in Excellence Programs. (E.g.: KPIs, Organization structure development…)

Effective communication and interpersonal skills paired with the expertise to increase organizational production. Highly competent in leading large organizations and improving business processes to optimize operational effectiveness.

Abdulla was then appointed as the Head Corporate Strategy & Excellence in Dubai government. Within the past decade Abdulla has worked in and gained experience and working knowledge of a number of different departments in Dubai governments, Dubai Police, Dubai Sport Council and Dubai Culture.

NASIR SAIF SULTAN ALSEERI – Dubai Government Workshop

Nasir started his studies and career in aviation higher diploma in avionics and worked as Navigation engineer servicing ground equipment’s in Dubai airport. He further pursued his bachelors in management in 2012. His love and passion for cars started when he was 16. He got hands on by helping his brother and his relatives with their cars with repairs and modifications.

In 2009 he opened his own workshop where his work included suspension upgrades, performance upgrades, tuning and regular maintenance. Towards the end of 2017 he closed the shop and prepared for new opportunities where he currently works in Dubai government workshop as the head of VIP section with responsibilities to manage over 30 employees and a wide variety of cars and brands from classic to modern car.

DR. NIMA MEHRDADI – Hella Middle East FZE / LLC

As a hands-on VP and Managing Director with expertise in Research, Development, Production & Sales, with almost 25 Years of experience in Automotive and Industrial Sector, Dr. Nima has been working for HELLA since 2005 in different managerial positions.

Since 2015, he is in-charge of the HELLA Business in Middle East and partly Africa as a Managing Director and since June 202, he is responsible for the FORVIA HELLA Business in Middle East and complete Africa & India as a Group Vice President Aftermarket.

HELLA is a globally positioned company with over 120 years of History. It develops and manufactures lighting technology and electronics products for automotive industry as a part of the FORVIA group – the seven biggest automotive suppliers globally.

MICHEL MALIK – BodyShop News International

Michel Malik has been involved in the collision repair industry for the last 35 years. He is the CEO of BodyShop News International, the company that produces the global BodyShop News collision repair magazines.

Michel is a recognised speaker and event organiser at various automotive conferences, symposiums and seminars all over the world including IBIS, NACE, Automechanika, Autopromotec, AMR and more.

Michel also produces and presents the longest running weekly motoring programme in the world – The World on Wheels – broadcast on Sydney radio and online.

Michel has been a car enthusiast since his teens. He’s a collector, motoring commentator and a judge at several prestigious car shows throughout the world. He has also competed in different forms of motorsport including circuit, track and rally.

BRYAN GENER – Emirates Motorsport Organization

Bryan is the Motorsport Manager at Emirates Motorsport Organization. He is a member of the Sporting Organizing committee for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix F1 and Organizing Committee for Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and Dubai International Baja events. Bryan has been involved for over 5 years in the UAE Motorsport Governance and prior to that has 17 years of experience is the US offroad aftermarket automotive industry.

VISHAL PANDEY – Glasgow Research & Consulting

Vishal is a leading MENA focused Market Entry & Go-To-Market Strategy Specialist. He has been involved in over 100 Automotive, Mobility and Logistics related research & market entry engagements. He has worked across the value chain with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and tier one suppliers.

MARTIN ROBERTS – Momentum Logistics LLC (A Gulftainer Company)

With over 20 years’ experience in the Transport & Logistics industry, Martin Roberts currently handles the role of Director of Transportation in Momentum Logistics, Gulftainer’s logistics subsidiary.  He is responsible for all aspects of the Transport operation, including improving Safety and Maintenance.

He rose through the ranks having served in the British Armed Forces then gaining experience driving heavy vehicles, before starting his office career as a trainee back in 1998.

Martin worked for one of the largest transport companies in the UK and helped them diversify into different markets before moving to the UAE, to become part of the Momentum Logistics Team. 

Martin holds a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) from the UK. He is also a qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor and was also one of the first Transport managers in the UAE to gain CPC Middle East qualification.