Peter Fleet appointed new chairman of the Retail Automotive Alliance

The Retail Automotive Alliance (RAA) has appointed Peter Fleet as its new chairman as predecessor Paul Knight embarks on retirement.

Fleet is a former group vice president of the Ford Motor Company, most recently serving as president of Ford Asia Pacific, where he led Ford’s businesses and partnerships across China, India, South-East Asian, Australia and New Zealand.

Brian Gilda, chairman and managing director at Peoples Ford, said: “I am delighted to welcome Peter to the Retail Automotive Alliance.

“Peter brings a wealth of talent from a thirty-year global career with Ford. I know that he has what it takes to lead the RAA as we look to grow substantially and elevate the level of services provided to all of our shareholders.”

Last year, the RAA celebrated the largest membership base in its history after franchised car dealers SG Petch and Clive Brook Volvo joined its ranks.

Peter Fleet, chairman at the Retail Automotive Alliance, said: “The RAA is a formidable joint venture by twenty-seven independent motor dealer businesses with a combined UK turnover of more than £3 billion.

“Since 2005 it has grown in scale, scope and ambition. I look forward to working with the Board and executive team to strengthen our core proposition and find new ways to leverage our scale, professionalism and UK-wide geographic coverage to add value to our shareholders.”

Peter Vosper, chairman at Vospers, said: “We thank Paul for his many years of service to the RAA, whose leadership and guidance has helped us grow into the 5th largest dealer group in the UK. We wish Paul a healthy and happy retirement.”