Alex Smith joins Lookers Limited as Chair as well as Global Auto Holdings Limited’s Executive Committee with responsibility for European operations.

Further appointments complete leadership and governance teams at Lookers.

 

Global Auto Holdings Limited (“GAHL”) has appointed Alex Smith, one of the UK’s most influential and experienced automotive leaders, to the role of Chair of Lookers Limited (“Lookers”), one of the UK’s largest auto retail groups.  Mr. Smith will also become a Board Member of Wismo Group (formerly K.W. Bruun Import) which GAHL acquired in 2024.

Alex Smith joins GAHL following six years as Managing Director of Volkswagen Group UK where he was responsible for more than one in every five new cars and light commercial vehicles sold nationwide. Smith also served as a Vice President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and is a former Managing Director of Nissan Motor Great Britain.

Mr. Smith will join Mr. James Brearley in leading Lookers along with the balance of the recently appointed new executive team charged with continuing the transformation and substantive progress that has been made since Lookers was acquired by GAHL in 2023.

GAHL comments:

“The Lookers team, led by James Brearley, has made significant progress in transforming the business into a customer centric, high performing auto retailer that strives to be a strong partner to our respective manufacturer stakeholders and customers.  We are extremely pleased to add someone of Alex’s calibre to the Lookers leadership team.  We believe his deep automotive expertise, track record of industry leading results and overall strategic capabilities will greatly benefit both Lookers as well as GAHL’s European operations as we continue to pursue operational excellence and growth. 

Alex’s appointment to Chair of Lookers completes the first phase of the transformation of Lookers that began with our acquisition of the business in 2023.  We are extremely confident that the newly constituted executive team will continue to prioritize our customers and OEM partner relationships while also driving sustainable growth in the business moving forward.”

Welcoming his appointment, Mr. Smith said:

“In an industry experiencing profound change and simultaneous opportunity, I’m absolutely delighted to join Global Auto Holdings to work with dedicated and experienced leadership teams with demonstrable track records in retail, automotive and financial services to drive the Group’s growth ambitions in the UK and Europe.

“I’m especially excited by the talent depth across the Group and by the strength of the brands which GAHL proudly represents. I look forward to working with every colleague to deliver for our OEM partners and customers in this transformative period for us all.

The appointments are subject to relevant regulatory approvals.

The Lookers’ Executive Committee includes:

Alex Smith, Chair, who enjoyed a 15-year career at Volkswagen Group UK, including six years as Group Managing Director. Alex was also Managing Director of Nissan Motor GB.

James Brearley, Managing Director. One of the retail motor industry’s most respected and experienced business leaders, the former head of Inchcape’s UK retail business and Chief Operating Officer with Peter Vardy, James was appointed by Lookers in July 2024 and leads the Company’s operations which have been positively transformed since his appointment.

Owen McLellan, Chief Financial Officer. Formerly Managing Director of Company Shop Group and held several senior roles during a 10-year tenure at leading UK retailer Morrisons.

Duncan Gray, Chief Information Officer, who has more than 20 years of retail and financial services experience at board level within House of Fraser, Premium Credit, Selfridges Group and BCA.

Chris Whitaker, Chief People Officer, joined Lookers Plc in 2020 from leading IT services company KCOM where he was Group HR Director and has over 25 years of people leadership experience.

Oona Cassidy, General Counsel. Oona joined Lookers Plc in 2022 with over 15 years of experience in financial services, in national law firms and subsequently having held senior legal roles within the regulated businesses at the Co-op Group.

In addition to their roles with Lookers, Mr. Smith and Mr. Brearley have also been appointed to GAHL’s Global Executive Committee.