Credit hire bodies AMA and NACHO agree merger

The bodies representing credit hire companies have agreed to merge creating a single unified voice for the sector.

The executive committees of the Accident Management Association (AMA) and the National Association of Credit Hire Operators (NACHO) have agreed proposals to merge and recommended acceptance to their respective memberships.

Under the merger proposals, AMA director general Tony Baker will head the new association with NACHO secretary Barry Bromley becoming membership secretary.

The merger will create one association to represent and promote the credit hire/credit repair market. Its 65 full members and 25 associate members will account for around 90% of the market. It is also hoped to attract some CHOs not currently in the AMA or NACHO to join.

The new association’s key objectives will include speeding up GTA payments by insurers to improve CHO cash flow

The merger is expected to be completed within three months following a short consultation period, with the new association expected to be fully operating from the beginning of June.

NACHO Chairman Ralph Ferguson said: "With the recent corporate governance changes introduced within the GTA, this merger is absolutely the right thing for both the industry and for all of our members.”

Baker said: “We have been working on the merger proposal for some time now. The level of co-operation, the spirit of co-operation and the clarity of agreement on areas of policy and principles between NACHO and AMA has galvanized the two executive committees."