Lookers appoints former VW Group UK boss as new chair

Global Auto Holdings Limited (GAHL) has appointed Alex Smith as its new chair as part of its wider European expansion plans.

Smith will also become a board member of Nordic dealer group, logistics and parts specialist Wismo Group (formerly K.W. Bruun Import) which GAHL acquired in 2024.

Smith is well known within the automotive industry and joins Lookers 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.

Smith joins managing director James Brearley to lead Lookers alongside a newly appointed new executive team charged with continuing the transformation of the business since it was acquired by GAHL in 2023.

A statement from GAHL said: “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. “

Smith said he is especially excited by working with the talent and depth across the dealer group, as well as the strength of the car brands Lookers is partnered with.

He added: “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
• James Brearley, managing director
• 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 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. Cassidy joined Lookers 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, Smith and Brearley have also been appointed to GAHL’s global executive committee.