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Manufacturing

Change at the wheel for motorhome manufacturer Auto-Trail as MD announces retirement

Finance director Shane Devoy to take over from Dave Thomas after working together for almost a quarter of a century

Dave Thomas, centre right, retiring managing director, pictured recently with new apprentices who worked on a motorhome for motorsport team Tyco BMW, with rider Christian Iddon alongside.(Image: Kamara Photography)

There is to be a change in the driving seat of Grimsby motorhome manufacturer Auto-Trail.

Dave Thomas is to retire from the business he has spent almost his entire leisure industry career with, handing over to finance director Shane Devoy at the end of February.

The pair have worked together for almost a quarter of a century, with Mr Thomas joining the board in a management buy-out of the business as the design and technical director in 1998. He progressed to joint managing director, and for the past seven years - following Stuart Turpin’s retirement - he has been sole MD.

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He said: “Having been in the industry for 30 years, and with Auto-Trail for 28 of these, I have met some great people and enjoyed my time in this fast-moving industry.

“We have had great support from [parent company] Trigano in tough times and have always tried to develop the business through being product and customer focussed.”

Shane Devoy, left, and Dave Thomas, pictured together at Mr Thomas' 25th anniversary with Auto-Trail.(Image: Auto-Trail)
The three MDs: Stuart Turpin, left, Mr Thomas and Rob Gee with the last Mohican model from Auto-Trail, produced in Immingham, before the move to state-of-the-art facilities on Grimsby's Europarc. Mr Turpin and Mr Thomas were appointed joint MDs when Mr Gee retired, with Mr Tomas continuing when Mr Turpin stepped down.


Dave Thomas, third right, with the management buy out team, pictured in 1998. On his right is Stuart Turpin, who he initially became joint managing director with, with Rob Gee, their predecessor, alongside.(Image: Auto-Trail)


Mr Devoy will be supported by two new members of the board, Scott Stephens who will take up the role of commercial director, and Steve Moverley who will take up the role of technical director. “I couldn’t think of a more capable team to oversee the next stage of Auto-Trail’s journey,” Mr Thomas said. “I will miss my colleagues and friends, both in and out of the business, and I am confident Auto-Trail will continue to flourish.”

He has steered the business through some of the most challenging times, from strong growth to and the potentially damaging tax reclassification of motorhomes - eventually u-turned in parliament - to the Covid pandemic. That saw production halted then huge demand emerge, only for satisfying it to be hampered by the ability to procure the components to maximise the uptick.