Senior leaders from across the automotive and digital sectors will headline the National Franchised Dealers Association’s (NFDA) Driving Automotive 2026 conference, taking place at the Kia Oval on Thursday 14 May. The half-day event, Driving Automotive: Finance Ready, Cyber Smart , will bring together industry experts and senior leaders to explore the latest developments in automotive finance and cybersecurity—and what they mean for retailers. Running from 9:00am to 1:30pm , the flagship conference will examine how dealerships can strengthen their financial resilience while protecting their businesses from increasingly sophisticated digital threats. The event will be hosted by business broadcaster and journalist Ian King, who will guide discussions with senior figures from across the automotive, retail and technology sectors. Among the confirmed speakers is Eddie Hawthorne, consulting director at Arnold Clark. He will share insights into the company’s journey and how the business responded to and recovered from a cyber attack. Attiq Qureshi, chief digital and information officer at Manchester United F.C., will discuss the growing importance of cybersecurity and digital resilience for large organisations, and how those lessons can be applied within the automotive sector. Market insights will also be provided by Marc Palmer from Auto Trader Group, who will share the marketplace’s latest data and trends shaping the retail automotive market. Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association, said: “Driving Automotive continues to bring together leading voices from across the industry to address the key issues affecting franchised retailers. This year’s focus on finance readiness and cybersecurity reflects the rapidly evolving landscape dealers are operating in. “With expert speakers sharing practical insights and perspectives, the event will provide valuable guidance for businesses looking to strengthen their operations and prepare for the challenges ahead.” More information about the event will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can confirm your attendance HERE