Group 1 Automotive appoints Mark Raban as CEO of UK operations

US retailing giant Group 1 Automotive has appointed former Lookers’ chief Mark Raban to head its UK operations.

Raban exited Lookers at the end of last year after the business transitioned to private ownership in October following a £504 million deal by Canadian firm Alpha Auto Group.

In his new role, Raban will oversee the integration of the recently acquired Inchcape dealerships to drive strategic growth.

Group 1 Automotive completed its £346 million takeover of Inchcape Retail in August, adding 54 car and van dealerships in a 'monumental transaction' that puts it into the top five of the AM100 rankings of UK's largest motor retailers.

Group 1 Automotive UK's trading area now extends into the Midlands and the North West of England and Wales, building on to its existing geographic footprint in the East and South East of England. 

It also broadened its brand portfolio with Audi, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Porsche, Smart, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Group 1 said the former Inchcape businesses are expected to generate £2.1 bn of additional annual revenues, meaning  the enlarged UK business now competes with the top 5 dealers within the AM100.

"Mark is a proven leader with a history of success in the UK motor trade," said Daryl Kenningham, Group 1's president and CEO.  "Following the transformative growth of our UK business, he will be instrumental in creating a high-performing culture among our team members and engaging customers across our expanded dealership network."

Prior to joining Group 1, Raban progressed from chief financial officer to CEO at Lookers. Prior to that, he served as chief financial officer  of Marshall Motor Holdings and held senior finance roles at companies such as Inchcape Retail, Selfridges, and Borders.

"I am excited to join the accomplished team at Group 1 during a pivotal moment for the organisation and look forward to empowering our teams throughout the country," said Raban. "By harnessing our combined strengths, we can drive operational excellence and customer-centric innovation.  We have an opportunity to set the highest standard for automotive retailing in the UK."

Group 1 has operated in the UK since 2007 and now has 115 dealerships across the market. Group 1 also owns and operates 260 dealerships, 338 franchises and 44 collision centres in the United States

Leveraging the company's expanded brand portfolio and presence, the business said Raban would also focus on developing Group 1's OEM partnerships.