The Assessor Winter 2026 PDF - Flipbook - Page 15
JOURNAL
VRA AGM
A NEW ERA
FOR VEHICLE
RECYCLING
REPRESENTATION
The Vehicle Recyclers’ Association’s AGM, held on the 2nd of December, “was a turning
point rather than a routine formality,” reports ATF Pro, with this report from the meeting.
With long-serving of昀椀cers stepping down, a dif昀椀cult staf昀椀ng change, and a new structure
on the table, the meeting was about resetting how the VRA works and what members
can expect in the years ahead.
rom the outset,
the tone was frank.
Members were
informed that the
VRA’s secretary, Chas
Ambrose, had left his role earlier
than originally anticipated, having
previously indicated an intention to
remain until early 2026. As a result
of this change, the association does
not currently have access to certain
information and systems, which meant
the minutes of the previous AGM could
not be reviewed at the meeting. The
situation is being handled through
the appropriate channels, including
legal advice where necessary, and the
update was shared with members in
the spirit of transparency.
Elections con昀椀rmed a
refreshed leadership
team, with Andy
Latham, who hosted
the event, being
elected as the new
chair, and Terry
Charlton taking on
formal responsibility as the VRA’s new
president. The treasurer’s role is now
shared between two people, Rob
Austin and Savo Vavan. The existing
committee was retained, with a clear
statement that the VRA wants broader
representation and will look to bring
additional voices into its work. The
intention is to move away from reliance
on any single individual and towards a
wider pool of experience.
The 昀椀nancial report painted a picture
of an organisation that is stable but
under pressure to use its resources
more effectively. Turnover is slightly
down on the previous year, but the
association still holds healthy reserves.
The certi昀椀cation arm has grown in
activity, though with tighter margins.
Overall, the message was that the VRA
has the 昀椀nancial strength to modernise,
but cannot afford to be complacent or
inef昀椀cient.
The central discussion at the AGM
was a proposal often referred to as
“VRA 2.0”, a plan to reorganise the
association around clearer areas
of focus, such as membership,
compliance, certi昀椀cation, and
commercial activity. These pillars
would be overseen by an executive
group of of昀椀cers, supported by a
wider management committee
and an administrator handling
day-to-day enquiries. Roles would
be more clearly de昀椀ned, some
responsibilities remunerated, and
performance monitored against
agreed objectives. In short, the VRA
is trying to evolve from a personalityled organisation into a more modern,
accountable trade association.
F
There was also time to recognise
long service in a very personal way.
Outgoing president Graham Hall
was awarded lifetime honorary
membership of the VRA and presented
with a special gift in appreciation
of his many years of guidance and
support, while long-standing treasurer
Jason Bishop received a trophy to
formally acknowledge his dedication
and contribution to the association’s
treasurer for more than a decade.
That, in turn, sparked questions from
the 昀氀oor about governance. Members
emphasised that the association’s
reserves ultimately belong to the
membership as a whole, that paid
roles and decision-making must be
transparent, and that the VRA needs to
www.iaea-online.org/news/the-assessor | WINTER 2026 | THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL
be more proactive in asking members
what they want from their trade
body. There was also recognition that
previous staff have raised standards
across the industry, and that the aim
now is to protect and build on that
legacy rather than dismantle it. As one
practical example of this new way of
working, the VRA will outsource its
magazine to a publisher so it looks
better, reaches more readers and links
more closely with the broader industry,
while editorial control remains 昀椀rmly
with the VRA.
Andy Latham,
Chairman, said:
“The leadership can
add value to the VRA,
which then adds value
to VRA members who
then add value to
their staff, their customers and their
suppliers.”
Taken together, the AGM marked the
beginning of a new era for the VRA.
By acknowledging recent challenges,
renewing its leadership and de昀椀ning
a clearer structure, the association
is positioning itself where it needs
to be as the industry develops. With
stronger governance and sharper
focus on key areas of responsibility, the
VRA aims to stay ahead of emerging
regulatory requirements and seize new
commercial opportunities as vehicle
recycling moves into new areas and
wider responsibilities, so it can better
support both its members and the
sector as a whole.
JOURNAL
This article 昀椀rst appeared in
ATF Professional here: atfpro.
co.uk/2025/12/09/vra-agm-a-new-erafor-vehicle-recycling-representation/
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