Dean is our senior test editor and lead commercial vehicle reviewer. He's part of the team responsible for reviewing new cars from across all classes, both on launches and in comparison tests, and is part of the New Car Awards judging panel. But with more than 20 years of experience working at Auto Express, there's a lot more that Dean can do.

He looks after our van and pick-up truck content, takes on the odd motorbike review and has had plenty of features to his name, too. His first decade at Auto Express was spent working in subbing and production roles, so he knows inside out how the magazine comes together each week. He's transferred those skills to the online side of Auto Express, too. In fact, about the only part of Auto Express Dean hasn't worked on is advertising...

Dean says...
"A lot of changes have taken place in the car industry over the past 20 years, but for me that moment of getting behind the wheel of a brand-new car for the first time never gets old. It doesn't matter if it's big or small, petrol, electric or somewhere in between, driving a new car and getting a feel for it is always a pleasure, and knowing that our test verdicts will help hundreds of buyers choose their next car is a great responsibility to have."

Dean’s main areas of expertise

• New cars
• New vans and pick-up trucks
• Racing sims
• Motorsport
• Model cars

Dean Gibson Q&A… 

What was your first car? 

"That would be a Volkswagen Polo Mk2, in the old three-door squareback body. It did the job. I drove it to Bristol and back, and the downpipe on the exhaust snapped as I got off at Junction 3 of the M4. I tried to use as little throttle as possible so as to not draw attention on the way home through north-west London. It was squashed by a tree branch in a storm a couple if years later."

What is your dream car? 

"It's a constantly changing list. Ferrari F40 is pinned at the top, but also a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500, Audi Sport Quattro, BMW M635 CSi, TVR Sagaris, Ducati 916, Bugatti EB110, Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3, Torsus Terrastorm camper conversion, Unimog, Alfa Romeo GTV6..."

If you could change one thing about cars, driving or the car industry today what would it be?

"I was shocked at a story we ran that said the UK's roads are resurfaced on average once every 100 years. Maybe if maintenance was to a higher standard, then driving would be a more pleasurable experience for everyone."

Social media and e-mail

• Twitter: @DeanGbsn
• Instagram: deangibsonn
• e-mail: dean_gibson@autovia.co.uk