Ashley is currently Chief Executive of the Retail Automotive Alliance Ltd, a joint venture buying group in the retail motor industry.
Former Chairman and Managing Director of the Patterson Motor Group. Working in this role over a period of 20 years he helped the business grow from a turnover of £25M to over £250M at its successful sale to Arnold Clark Automobiles Ltd in November 2007.
Ashley's commitment to Education and Enterprise is shown with past positions as Governor of Northumbria University, Chairman at Business Link Tyneside, Tyneside TEC and the LSC North East and Tyne & Wear.
He is heavily involved in some of the Region's most prestigious funding streams and is currently Chairman of the Community Foundation.
In June 2003 Ashley was awarded the Order of the British Empire for Services to North East Business in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Ashley is also the Vice-Chairman of Herbert Dove Trustees (the Employment Benefit Trust that owns JT Dove Builders Merchants).
Ashley lives outside Hexham with his wife Gillian and has two daughters and a son. He lists his interests as sailing, gardening, skiing, cycling and cooking.
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