Jerry Buhlmann is to become the next chairman of Inchcape’s board of directors succeeding Nigel Stein subject to shareholder approval.

Currently a senior independent director, Inchcape said Buhlmann’s appointment will ensure seamless continuity of board leadership to support the London-based car distributor and retailer as it continues to pursue its Accelerate strategy.

Stein, who has been the chair since 2018 and a board member since 2015, will be standing down at the next AGM in May, bringing to a close a nine-year term as a board member.

Buhlmann has over 40 years' experience in the media and advertising industries and was formerly CEO of Aegis Group and Dentsu Aegis Network. He is currently chair of private equity-owned digital marketing agencies Dept, Croud and Hybrid and is also a member of the supervisory board of ServicePlan.

Alison Platt has also been appointed a non-executive director from January and will succeed Buhlmann as its senior independent director in May.

Platt currently serves as chair for Dechra Pharmaceuticals and will join as chair of Hargreaves Lansdown in early 2024. She also serves as non-executive director and chair of the remuneration committee for Tesco, and as chair of Ageas UK. She previously held senior leadership positions at Countrywide Group where she was CEO, BUPA and British Airways as well as chair of Legal & General Financial Advice and non-executive director at Cable & Wireless Communications and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Duncan Tait, Inchcape chief executive, said: "I am delighted to welcome Jerry as the company's proposed new chairman. He has a long track record in leading and managing large and diverse global organisations, with significant experience and knowledge of technology-enabled businesses. This will be a major asset for Inchcape, as we continue to leverage our digital capabilities to further grow and diversify our distribution business with more mobility partners in more geographies."

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