Following Roger West’s retirement as Secretary General at the end of 2023, the British Vehicle Salvage Federation (BVSF) welcomes one of his sons, Graham West, as his successor.
Graham brings a wealth of experience in the motor industry, having held roles in parts supply, vehicle estimating, and supervisory positions. With a clear commitment to building on his father’s legacy, he aims to address industry challenges, foster collaboration, and navigate the federation’s path forward with open dialogue.
“I was educated in both Orpington and Biggin Hill, southeast London, gaining various GCSEs and a diploma and, subsequently, disappearing off to university.
However, as a family, we are all vehicle-orientated, so I suppose it was inevitable that I would end up in the Motor industry. Even my Grandfather, John, who is 94, was involved in the insurance side of the Motor Industry, having close affiliations with Thatcham during its building in the 1960s and was subsequently heavily involved with its set-up.
I was offered a position at a non-OE parts supply company, where I learned the niceties of stock control, customer service, and paint and sundries supply.
During this time, I also passed the examination to become an ADI, which I wanted to try to do as my uncle had been very successful with his own company. Somewhat unusually, I suppose, in my spare time, I became pretty successful in amateur dramatics. I have also appeared as an extra on TV programmes, hopefully proving that I am willing and able to stand in front of people and express my opinion.
I subsequently applied for and gained a position at a company called Ambrossetti within the parts department initially and rose through the ranks to a supervisory capacity during my time there. Due to the areas under my supervision, I worked alongside estimators, gaining knowledge in the art of vehicle estimating and salvage categorisation. Within my various roles whilst at the company, I was directly and indirectly involved in the repair process from vehicle arrival to completion via a QC check. Some of these vehicles had only minor cosmetic and/or mechanical requirements, through to full-scale body repair and beyond.
It was during this time that I took an avid interest in the BVSF, assisting at AGMs during my mother’s illness and generally learning how the salvage industry worked and what areas of government departments created issues, some unrequired, of course, for the Federations members. At these events, I met and had conversations with attendees, including government officials and, indeed, the team from ATF Professional, which has proven to be a huge advantage as it gave me real insight into how it all works.
My father had no intention of retiring during this period and strived to assist his members in alleviating various issues that crossed his desk at this time. However, life sometimes gets in the way, and Dad was diagnosed with a cognitive issue in 2022 and confirmed in 2023 that this issue was causing a degree of embarrassment; therefore, he reluctantly decided to step down.
I saw this as my opportunity to continue what I perceived to be his good work and applied for his position of Secretary General.
This was agreed upon by the Management Committee, and my role began on 2 January this year.
I admit I have had to ask Dad a couple of questions, but this is, of course, a learning curve for me.
I welcome discussion from any quarter regarding the running of the federation and have already streamlined some areas relating to reducing paper use and am improving the computerised side of the federation, and I take this opportunity to thank the Honorary Chairman, Percy Snow, for his assistance regarding the website.
That is about it from me, a potted history of ‘Graham’. I look forward to improving this industry even further and would add that I am only a phone call away on 07976395905, or you can contact me via email@bvsf.org.uk.”
