Why the Aftermarket needs fresh talent – and where to find It

The UK aftermarket is at a crossroads. Electrification, digital transformation and sustainability are all reshaping how the sector operates—but the real pressure point isn’t just innovation. It’s talent.

For too long, the aftermarket has been overlooked by senior leaders in adjacent industries. Yet it supports the repair and servicing of over 34 million vehicles in the UK and contributes billions to the economy. As the pace of change accelerates, the industry urgently needs new commercial, operational and strategic leaders to drive it forward.

To the uninitiated, the aftermarket might appear traditional—but it’s anything but. Behind the scenes, it’s grappling with supply chain resilience, EV readiness, shifting customer demands and data-led decision-making. This creates an opening for seasoned professionals from sectors such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, retail, ecommerce and technology to bring in a new layer of expertise.

At Glen Callum Associates, the message we consistently hear from employers is clear: “We need fresh thinking, diverse insight and the confidence to lead through change.”

That doesn’t just mean young talent - it means new talent. Executives from line functions in manufacturing, FMCG, aerospace or OEMs bring valuable experience. Commercial directors, operations managers and systems analysts fluent in automation, digital transformation and customer strategy can all inject new energy into the aftermarket’s evolution. Increasingly, knowledge of sustainability, ESG frameworks and low-carbon operations is also in demand.

Many of these capabilities are abundant outside the sector. The challenge, and the opportunity, is to connect them with forward-thinking employers in the aftermarket who are ready to embrace change.

We’ve found particularly strong talent crossovers in industries such as advanced manufacturing and engineering, where skills in process control, quality and lean production directly apply to aftermarket operations. In ecommerce and retail, data-savvy, customer-obsessed leaders can bring much-needed shake-up to traditional parts supply chains. Logistics professionals, with their deep understanding of warehousing, JIT delivery and global product flows, are tailor-made for aftermarket distribution. Even leaders from SaaS and tech sectors offer a crucial perspective as connected vehicle data and digital platforms become the norm.

What’s more, functions like finance, HR and compliance from large service-based firms bring strategic oversight and cultural leadership that many mid-size aftermarket businesses value.

And when we speak to senior-level candidates from these sectors, they’re often surprised to discover the scale and pace of the aftermarket. With 76% of vehicle repairs and servicing now performed outside of OEM channels, this is a commercially dynamic space. It’s also a place of influence. Mid-sized aftermarket businesses offer leaders visibility across the whole operation, and they value performance over pedigree. It’s an industry where results matter, and career progression is genuinely meritocratic.

Of course, a common hiring phrase - “must have aftermarket experience” - still crops up. But at Glen Callum, we challenge this, with the right onboarding and cultural fit, they bring a fresh perspective and measurable impact.

The aftermarket doesn’t need leaders who will maintain the status quo. It needs leaders who will challenge, innovate and build its future. They may not be working in this industry today - but they’re out there. The question is: will your business be open enough to find them?