10:44 am, July 22, 2019
VERTU Motors has appointed Andy Goss as non-executive chairman.
Currently a non-executive director who has been on the automotive retailer’s board since September 2018, he will take up his new role this coming Thursday. Goss has held senior positions at Jaguar Land Rover, Porsche and Toyota, and before joining Vertu was group sales director and a board member at JLR.
He replaces Peter Jones, who is retiring from the board. In a statement, Vertu thanked Jones for his service and contribution to the group during his time as chairman.
Goss said: ‘I am very excited to be leading the board in what promises to be a fascinating period in the sector in the next few years.
‘With its strong balance sheet, best-in-class systems and processes, and strong and stable management team, Vertu is well positioned to benefit from the challenges and opportunities in the motor retail market. I look forward to supporting the group to continue to strengthen its relationships with its manufacturer partners.
‘Following my appointment and Peter’s departure, I will keep the board structure under review. I have known Peter for many years and his retirement marks the end of over 40 years in the sector. He has left his positive mark on both the automotive plcs he has led and the people he has encountered.’
Jones commented: ‘Having had over four years as chairman of the group, I am delighted with this appointment and am confident that Andy’s insight and energy will provide great leadership to the board. I am leaving the board in good hands.’
The news comes after it emerged that Vertu operations director Jatinder Aujla acquired nearly 27,000 more shares in the company last Wednesday, taking his stake from 0.02 per cent (73,018 shares) to 0.03 per cent (99,921 shares).
Vertu, which is the UK’s fifth-largest motor retailer by turnover, has a network of 123 sales and aftersales outlets across the UK, with brands such as Bristol Street Motors, Land Rover Farnell and Macklin Motors.
MORE: Andrew Goss joins Vertu board
MORE: Vertu sees pre-tax profit drop to £25.3m on increased revenue
MORE: JLR launches attack on Westminster’s diesel ‘demonisation’
