The Shift | Automotive Marketing Leaders Dinner by Black Lab

Upcoming Events

About The Shift

The Shift is a private, invitation-only dinner roundtable created with senior brand-side marketers in mind. Giving them the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and gather together and discuss the challenges that matter most with peers.

No presentations.
No sales pitches.
No hidden agenda.

Just a carefully curated group of marketing leaders coming together to share experiences, discuss ideas and explore what’s really working – and what isn’t.

Each session has been purposefully designed to be intentionally small to encourage open discussion, meaningful conversation and practical takeaways that attendees can apply immediately.

The Next Shift Coming Autumn 2026

Thursday, 1 October 2026

At our upcoming event, we’re delighted to welcome senior marketing leaders including representatives from:

Close Brothers Motor Finance
Lotus Cars
Cox Automotive
Manheim Auctions

Alongside other invited leaders from across the automotive and wider marketing community.

Whether the conversation centres around AI, customer behaviour, data, brand building or commercial growth, every discussion is driven by one simple goal: Helping marketers learn from one another.

Places are deliberately limited to maintain the quality of the conversation.

Apply to Attend

Why you should attend

✔ Gain perspective: Honest, high-level discussion on the forces shaping automotive, from market saturation to evolving consumer behaviour.

✔ Build connections and feel supported: A curated room of decision-makers from across finance, retail, data, and technology.

✔ Stay ahead: Insights on how marketing and data strategy can keep pace with an industry in motion.

✔ Shape the conversation: This is not a sales event but a space to contribute to a dialogue that bridges innovation, trust and brand.

Past Events from The Shift

The Shift | Leeds | April 2026

The Market isn't Moving in One Direction Anymore

Special Guests: Cox Automotive, G3, Luscombes, Kt Green, Kandoo and more
Location: Restaurant Bar & Grill, Leeds

The April edition of The Shift continued our exploration of how marketing, data and culture intersect within a rapidly evolving automotive landscape. As electrification, automation and AI redefine the vehicles we drive and the way we buy them.

View our event recap

The Shift | Leeds | November 2025

Understanding Change and the Role of Digital in Automotive

Special Guest: Philip Nothard, Cox Automotive
Location: Restaurant Bar & Grill, Leeds

The first edition of The Shift brought together twenty automotive leaders for an evening of insight and exchange. The conversation was candid, the tone collaborative, and the energy undeniable.

View our event recap

“From dealers to finance brands and consultancies, the perspectives shared around the table were exceptional. It reminded me that progress in automotive marketing happens when we step away from the slides and start having real conversations.”

James Starkey, Director of Black Lab

Stay Connected

Request to Join The Automotive Marketing Leaders Group

The Shift doesn’t end when the dinner does. Attendees are invited to continue the conversation through a private LinkedIn group; a space to share perspectives, exchange ideas and stay connected between events. If you’ve attended The Shift or would like to be considered for future dinners, you can request an invite to join the group below.

Request to Join

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