Kia Hosts 2021 Northern Group Annual General Meeting
The 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Northern Group of Motoring Writers has taken place, held at the Coniston Hotel near Skipton and hosted by Kia.
It’s been another difficult 12 months globally, and for many of our members. Indeed this is the first time the Group has met since the last AGM in August 2020.
While we’ve had two further full national lockdowns, restrictions are now easing across the board as vaccination rates increase, and the UK entered “Step 4” just three days ago. Thankfully that came just in time for the AGM and driving day.
Despite his retirement in 2020, Steve Kitson was still present in the shape of a near-lifesize cardboard cutout, keeping a watching brief over new head of press and public relations Dan Sayles.
As usual, Kia brought along a large selection of its range, including the Stinger which won our 2018 Car of the Year award. Also as usual, it was common to find every single car out on the roads at once, as Group members racked up yet more serious mileage.
With only a handful of events occurring over the previous 12 months, the meeting itself was less about reflection than the future. In arguably one of the most significant changes to the Group Constitution in our near-50-year history, it was decided to allow membership for “new media”.
That would allow those who make a living in the industry through the creation of videos, podcasts, and similar media — rather than the written word alone — with candidates for admission to the Group already under consideration.
