11:23 am, November 12, 2021
Inchcape’s UK retail business head James Brearley is to leave the company at the end of this year.
Brearley was appointed chief executive in January 2017 after joining as special projects director in April 2016, where he helped develop and bring in aspects of Inchcape’s Ignite optimisation and growth strategy, with a particular emphasis on used cars.
As CEO of Inchcape UK, he was responsible for implementing a new five-year plan to overhaul Inchcape’s operating structure, including digitalising the customer experience and making the most of the used car sector.
Inchcape said today (Nov 12) that the plan had now been achieved and Brearley had decided to leave to take up a new challenge, although it didn’t say what that new challenge was.
George Ashford, who is currently the group chief transformation officer, will assume the vacant role on an interim basis as the search for a permanent appointment takes place.
Group chief executive Duncan Tait said: ‘I am grateful to James for his contribution to Inchcape over the years, and particularly for his work with me in the past year on the development of our new strategy.
‘I am pleased that George has agreed to assume leadership of our UK business, and I look forward to working with George and the rest of the team at what is an exciting time for the business.’
Brearley said: ‘I am delighted that I leave the business in excellent shape, with all brands performing in the upper quartile of the composite and OEM scorecards.
‘This significant achievement is due to the hard work and commitment of a great team of people throughout the business.
‘I am proud to have worked with this team and wish all of them continued success, as I do the wider group.’
