The Independent Distributor Alliance Limited (TIDAL) has appointed experienced automotive refinish industry professional Andy Lovett as Business Development Director, as the Alliance strengthens its focus on national business development and larger market opportunities.
Andy will join TIDAL on 21 September 2026, bringing more than 30 years of experience across the automotive refinish, distribution and bodyshop sectors.
His career has included roles with Brown Brothers, BASF Coatings, Carlac, Avant Consult and BodyNet, giving him experience across manufacturers, distributors, bodyshops, dealer groups and wider industry relationships.
The newly appointed Business Development Director will focus on developing opportunities across key market segments, including groups, Fleet, Lease & Insurance (FLI) and Multi-Site Operations (MSOs), while supporting TIDAL Distributor Partners with significant sales opportunities within their own geographical areas.
Andy will also represent TIDAL in national tenders and Vehicle Manufacturer programmes, support the implementation of national service level agreements across the Alliance and work closely with key suppliers and manufacturers to ensure TIDAL has the support required to pursue new business opportunities.
Paul Blunt, Director of TIDAL, said the appointment represents an important next stage in the Alliance’s development.
“One of our key objectives has always been to ensure that TIDAL can compete at every level within our industry. We now feel that TIDAL is ready and ideally placed to challenge convention.
“Having a dedicated Business Development Director focused on those areas will help us move that ambition forward and make sure TIDAL is well placed to maximise the opportunities ahead.
“Andy has a proven track record in the automotive industry with a wide range of knowledge and experience, which makes him the ideal candidate for the position. I am very much looking forward to working with Andy and moving TIDAL to the next stage of our development.”
For Andy, the opportunity is about combining the strengths of TIDAL’s independent Distributor Partners to create a proposition capable of competing for larger national opportunities.
“At its simplest, my role is about creating opportunities and helping TIDAL turn those opportunities into sustainable business for its members,” he said.
“But I see the role as much more than simply winning business. It is about understanding the strengths and capabilities across the alliance, making sure we have the right proposition and then bringing the different parts of TIDAL together so that we can deliver consistently.
“Ultimately, I want to help TIDAL secure opportunities that benefit its members and strengthen the whole Alliance.”
Andy said the independent distributor model itself was one of the things that attracted him to TIDAL.
“You have the strength and scale of an alliance, but you retain the agility and personal relationships of independent businesses.
“The opportunity is to add scale without losing personality.”
Graham Smith, TIDAL Chairman and Director of Granville Supplies, said the appointment will strengthen TIDAL’s ability to support its members and deliver greater value to customers as the Alliance develops its offer across new market opportunities.
“As TIDAL progresses and moves into new market sectors, it is vital that we continue to invest in the capabilities required to deliver added value to our customers.
“Appointing Andy as Business Development Director will give us greater ability to present a comprehensive offer across service, support, training and commercial solutions.
“As the vehicle repair industry continues to evolve, I believe TIDAL can provide new and effective solutions for the market, and I am pleased Andy is on board to help us take that forward.”
Pete Clipsham, Business Development Director at Fisher Motor Factors and a member of the TIDAL Board, added:
“Andy brings a vast amount of experience and knowledge across the industry, from the supply chain right through to the final repair of a vehicle, as well as a strong understanding of what makes successful partnerships work.
“His understanding of the repair market will benefit TIDAL members and, more importantly, the customers those members serve.
“The refinish market continues to evolve and TIDAL has an opportunity to offer a different model and new solutions. Andy’s experience will strengthen that proposition and give customers greater confidence in what TIDAL can deliver.”
Andy said his first priority will be spending time with TIDAL’s members and understanding the individual strengths of their businesses before developing the Alliance’s wider business development strategy.
“I don’t want to come in with a preconceived plan and immediately start changing things,” he said.
“I want to listen and learn, map the opportunities and then build the proposition around what I find.”
Looking further ahead, Andy believes the timing is right for TIDAL to build on the strength of its independent network.
“TIDAL gives me the opportunity to use more than 30 years of experience across automotive refinish, distribution, manufacturers and bodyshops to help independent businesses compete for larger opportunities.
“The timing feels right because the industry is changing quickly, creating a real opportunity for an organisation that can combine the strength of a national alliance with the expertise and personal service of independent distributors.”
