The Retail Automotive Alliance has appointed Marc Matthew, chairman of the multi-franchised Lifestyle Europe Group and a director of the IMI, as its new chairman.

He plans to lead the organisation, formed by 22 privately-owned franchised dealer groups with combined turnover of £2.5bn, through negotiations for major purchases such as IT and marketing.

Matthew replaces the inaugural chairman Philip Maskell, who has held the position since the RAA’s launch in 2005. Maskell, managing director of alliance member Essex Ford Group, will retain a role on the board and continue to assist with projects.

Matthew says: “Philip Maskell and our chief executive Paul Knight have delivered much so far but there is plenty of scope for much, much more.

“We have some big-ticket projects in progress, including media purchasing, marketing, dealer management and HR systems to name but a few.

“I am excited by the potential and delighted to be given the responsibility for the next phase of RAA’s development.”

For two years the RAA has been using its scale to leverage better buying of commodities needed to run its members’ businesses.