Bowker Motor Group has appointed Andrew Gee as its new chief financial officer for both its motor retail division and Bowker Transport (WH Bowker Ltd).

In a move which separates the roles at the two Lancashire-based businesses that trade under the Bowker family name for the first time, Gee joins with more than 20 years of wide-ranging financial experience, including boardroom roles with JJB Sports, Dave Whelan Sports Ltd, HIMOR Group Ltd and Lewis’s Home Retail Ltd with TJ Hughes.

Bowker Motor Group chief executive, Paul Bowker, said: “Both Bowker businesses already share the best of Lancashire family entrepreneurial spirit. So, it makes perfect sense to jointly appoint a chief financial officer of Andrew’s calibre.

“He has an excellent track record working with other renowned businesses throughout his career and we are delighted he is joining us at such an exciting time.”

Gee said: “This is an exciting role, made more fascinating by the fact that it spans two of Lancashire’s most famous family businesses.

“Only 18 months ago, Bowker Transport acquired Potter logistics. And the Motor Group’s strategy for investment in new dealerships continues with the building the new Porsche Centre in Preston. There’s plenty to do and many reasons to be excited for the future.”

Bowker’s UK and European transport business employs over 450 people and operates more than 200 vehicles and 450 trailers throughout the UK and Europe, together with over 1,000,000 square feet of warehousing from its sites at Preston, Droitwich, Knowsley, Hull, Ripon, Selby and York.

Bill Bowker, director of WH Bowker, said: “Andrew brings a wealth of expertise to the role. He has a demonstrable understanding of how family businesses work and he has an excellent knowledge of both retail and business to business sectors. We are looking forward to working with him.”

The Bowker Motor Group employs over 400 people at sites throughout Lancashire including Bowker BMW and Mini in Blackburn and Preston; Bowker Maserati and Ribble Valley in Osbaldeston; and Bowker Harley-Davidson and Bowker Motorrad in Preston.