Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #20 Ross Forbes

FROM car yards to mechanical workshops, the automotive industry is huge on the Central Coast and there are few people more influential in motoring circles than this man.

Ross Forbes has been named the number 20 Most Influential person on the Central Coast for his services to the motoring industry. (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

• Central Coast top 100 Most Influential people as voted by you
• How the top 100 Most Influential search began: online poll

FROM car yards to mechanical workshops, the automotive industry is huge on the Central Coast and there are few people more influential in motoring circles than Ross Forbes.

The 52-year-old kicks off the Express Advocate’s top 20 Most Influential countdown and chances are anyone who’s ever done an automotive apprenticeship here or in Newcastle has benefited directly or indirectly from Mr Forbes’ steadying presence.

Ross Forbes has been a softly spoken giant in motoring circles on the Coast for more than 30 years. (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

A mechanic running successful businesses Mr Forbes taught young apprentices for 15 years before spending 10 years as a teacher with NSW TAFE.

He had a stint as head engineer with Caterpillar dealer WesTrac before being headhunted by BRW rich-lister Tony Denny to keep one of the world’s largest private car collections humming.

But it is his volunteering, which has had the most profound impact on the automotive industry.

Mr Forbes take a bow. (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

Mr Forbes was recently elected national councillor for the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers (IAME) and gives up his spare time to make the motor industry a better, more sustainable career choice for new job starters.

Incorporated in 1936, the industry association was born out of a desire for members to obtain technical information and develop skills in a burgeoning industry.

To this day training remains at the heart of the IAME with Mr Forbes just one of 12 members to sit on the national council, which is elected because of their dedication and driving passion for the automotive industry.

(AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

The father-of-three girls from Shelly Beach said he always enjoyed working with and mentoring young apprentices, sharing his knowledge and ensuring the next generation of auto mechanics were armed with industry best practice skills.

“It’s very nice [to be nominated] but at the end of the day I’m nothing special,” a humble Mr Forbes said.

Tomorrow we profile number 19 in the top 100, a woman who has been a widely influential in the arts.