Committee

Bio

His passion for cars was apparent from an early age and it was inevitable that he would end up working with them. He spent his teenage years trawling car showrooms and building the encyclopaedic knowledge he has today. He has worked on Diesel&EcoCar magazine since 2007 and holds the accolade for longest running editor. He purchased the title in early 2014 and has steadily grown it ever since. In 2020, he launched Classic.Retro.Modern. magazine with some industry colleagues, a title that specialises in cars from the 1970s, 80,s 90s and noughties. The response to it has been phenomenal. Aside from being a motoring mogul (as named by Sue Baker), he’s a car statistics nut and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the motor industry.

Ian joined the Southern Group of Motoring Writers in 2009, became publicity officer in 2011 and was elected as Secretary in 2012. He took over as Chairman of the group in 2017 and is extremely proud to lead what is the largest and most active motoring writers group in the country.

Ian Robertson

chairman

Favourite Car: I rather fancy something like a Peugeot 405 Mi16

Favourite film: Gung Ho – it’s full of Fiat Regatas!

Favourite Book: How to be a motoring journalist, by Roy Lanchester

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Bio

Founder of the Southern Group of Motoring Writers and currently the vice-chairman, David Ward continues to write daily on all motoring matters for the Northcliffe UK Media Group and for its parent, Associated Newspapers with its worldwide syndication system which involves editorial coverage of new car releases, road tests, industry background research and current technology developments, plus regular interviews with key industry figures. Having covered the motor industry as an editorial specialist now for over 40 years, David has a wealth of background knowledge and so is regularly called upon to use that information for all kinds of outlets, ranging from motoring publications to individual car manufacturers and research institutions like universities involved in the industry.

David Ward

vice chairman

Favourite Car: Ford Lotus Cortina

Favourite film: The Great Escape (II World War version)

Favourite Book: Humorous Quotations by Nigel Rees

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Bio

Chris Rees has been writing about cars for 40 years, contributing to newspapers, magazines and websites, as well as authoring more than 20 car books. He is currently a freelance writer and editor, editing Auto Italia magazine, the world’s leading title about Italian cars, and is Motors Editor of The Official Ferrari Magazine (TOFM). Currently secretary of the SGMW, he is honoured to help out with annual events such as the SGMW Heritage Driving Day and the SGMW Karting Grand Prix.

Chris Rees

secretary

Favourite Car: Alfa Romeo SZ

Favourite film: This Is Spinal Tap

Favourite Book: Cloud Atlas (David Mitchell)

Contact Details

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Bio

His passion for cars was apparent from an early age and it was inevitable that he would end up working with them. He spent his teenage years trawling car showrooms and building the encyclopaedic knowledge he has today. He has worked on Diesel&EcoCar magazine since 2007 and holds the accolade for longest running editor. He purchased the title in early 2014 and has steadily grown it ever since. In 2020, he launched Classic.Retro.Modern. magazine with some industry colleagues, a title that specialises in cars from the 1970s, 80,s 90s and noughties. The response to it has been phenomenal. Aside from being a motoring mogul (as named by Sue Baker), he’s a car statistics nut and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the motor industry.

Ian joined the Southern Group of Motoring Writers in 2009, became publicity officer in 2011 and was elected as Secretary in 2012. He took over as Chairman of the group in 2017 and is extremely proud to lead what is the largest and most active motoring writers group in the country.

Ian Robertson

chairman

Favourite Car: I rather fancy something like a Peugeot 405 Mi16

Favourite film: Gung Ho – it’s full of Fiat Regatas!

Favourite Book: How to be a motoring journalist, by Roy Lanchester

Contact Details

You do not have permission to see this content.

Bio

Founder of the Southern Group of Motoring Writers and currently the vice-chairman, David Ward continues to write daily on all motoring matters for the Northcliffe UK Media Group and for its parent, Associated Newspapers with its worldwide syndication system which involves editorial coverage of new car releases, road tests, industry background research and current technology developments, plus regular interviews with key industry figures. Having covered the motor industry as an editorial specialist now for over 40 years, David has a wealth of background knowledge and so is regularly called upon to use that information for all kinds of outlets, ranging from motoring publications to individual car manufacturers and research institutions like universities involved in the industry.

David Ward

vice chairman

Favourite Car: Ford Lotus Cortina

Favourite film: The Great Escape (II World War version)

Favourite Book: Humorous Quotations by Nigel Rees

Contact Details

You do not have permission to see this content.

Bio

Chris Rees has been writing about cars for 40 years, contributing to newspapers, magazines and websites, as well as authoring more than 20 car books. He is currently a freelance writer and editor, editing Auto Italia magazine, the world’s leading title about Italian cars, and is Motors Editor of The Official Ferrari Magazine (TOFM). Currently secretary of the SGMW, he is honoured to help out with annual events such as the SGMW Heritage Driving Day and the SGMW Karting Grand Prix.

Chris Rees

secretary

Favourite Car: Alfa Romeo SZ

Favourite film: This Is Spinal Tap

Favourite Book: Cloud Atlas (David Mitchell)

Contact Details

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Bio

Andy Russell has been writing about cars, bikes and motoring for more than 30 years. After becoming group motoring editor of a large regional media organisation, he took the freelance route. He has driven more than 2,000 cars. He now creates bespoke web content, media publicity and digital newsletters for motor dealers and an award-winning independent specialist finance broker. As SGMW publicity officer, he also updates its website with the latest group gossip and helps feed the social media monster.

Andy Russell

Publicity officer

Favourite Car: Jaguar Mark 2 3.8

Favourite film: Ford v Ferrari about the head-to-clash at Le Mans in 1966.

Favourite Book: Jupiter’s Travels by Ted Simon

Contact Details

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Bio

Chris Manning started submitting motorsport reports and pictures more than 40 years ago to the Essex Chronicle, which has led to him in attending the Le Mans 24 hour race for the past 22 years. Writing car road test reports went hand in hand with a sub-editor role at Essex Chronicle page subbing the 24-page motoring supplement and he took over sole responsibility for subbing both Essex and Kent motoring supplements. From 2014/2015 he became Motoring Editor and Sub Editor for Made in Essex newspaper until its demise, and is now freelance centring around classic cars. He took over the role as Treasurer for the Group in 2017 and enjoys the responsibility of looking after the purse strings.

Chris manning

secretary

Favourite Car: Citroen DS

Favourite film: Dead Poets Society

Favourite Book: Perfume – Patrick Suskind

Contact Details

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Bio

Andy Russell has been writing about cars, bikes and motoring for more than 30 years. After becoming group motoring editor of a large regional media organisation, he took the freelance route. He has driven more than 2,000 cars. He now creates bespoke web content, media publicity and digital newsletters for motor dealers and an award-winning independent specialist finance broker. As SGMW publicity officer, he also updates its website with the latest group gossip and helps feed the social media monster.

Andy Russell

Publicity officer

Favourite Car: Jaguar Mark 2 3.8

Favourite film: Ford v Ferrari about the head-to-clash at Le Mans in 1966

Favourite Book: Jupiter’s Travels by Ted Simon

Contact Details

You do not have permission to see this content.

Bio

Chris Manning started submitting motorsport reports and pictures more than 40 years ago to the Essex Chronicle, which has led to him in attending the Le Mans 24 hour race for the past 22 years. Writing car road test reports went hand in hand with a sub-editor role at Essex Chronicle page subbing the 24-page motoring supplement and he took over sole responsibility for subbing both Essex and Kent motoring supplements. From 2014/2015 he became Motoring Editor and Sub Editor for Made in Essex newspaper until its demise, and is now freelance centring around classic cars. He took over the role as Treasurer for the Group in 2017 and enjoys the responsibility of looking after the purse strings.

Chris manning

secretary

Favourite Car: Citroen DS

Favourite film: Dead Poets Society

Favourite Book: Perfume – Patrick Suskind

Contact Details

You do not have permission to see this content.
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