They say that all good things must come to an end. So it is with great sadness that we say farewell to one of CAP’s leading stalwarts, Jim Hardy, who decided to retire earlier this year after 35 years of continuous service.

Jim was the first non-Yorkshireman to join CAP, back in the days when our old headquarters were located in Skipton. Made an honorary Yorkshireman, his initiation included singing ‘On Ilkla Moor Baht’at’ (On Ilkley Moor without a Hat) at his first CAP Christmas party, which he managed to do admirably: a great way to make friends and influence people!

A long-standing advocate of integrating data within existing technology, Jim became an early enthusiast of utilising electronic data. He quickly championed the usage of CDs as a way of sending Black Book data to customers, which opened up insurance and finance sector accounts, 3rd party partnerships and new fleet contracts. 

Jim has always been at the forefront of the development and integration of our CAP Code, which helps vehicle information sharing across commercial platforms and systems. Over the years Jim developed a vast knowledge on the subject of vehicle model coding and structures, helping match the CAP Code to other industry codes such as SMMT.  

This has been crucial in helping customers access rich data content. And since the CAP Code is always being enhanced and made more granular, this data is getting richer and richer.

Ian Rendle, CAP’s Chief Executive said: ‘In Jim’s long years of service it is his outstanding work with our CAP Code that really stands out. By taking all the many complicated languages used by manufacturers and translating them into a single currency that everybody understands, we have connected the industry and helped drive decision making for our customers. On behalf of everyone at CAP we thank Jim for his legacy and wish him well for the future.’

At his leaving party Jim was presented with a special ‘DNA’ trophy, which represents CAP Code being the DNA of the automotive industry, something our former Head of Strategic Partners is immensely proud of.

‘Thanks to all the clients and colleagues I have worked with over the years,’ said Jim. ‘I’m now planning to spend more time with Jeanette and Emily, catching up with friends home and abroad, taking longer walks with the dog and painting once again!’