Unipart founder John Neill bows out after five-decade career

Unipart’s executive chairman Dr John M Neill CBE, will retire after an illustrious career spanning five decades.

John Neill's journey began at General Motors, where he quickly rose to prominence, becoming the youngest overseas executive. He joined British Leyland in 1974 and by 1977, at just 29 years old, he was appointed managing director of the British Leyland Parts Division, becoming the youngest MD to lead the company’s most profitable business.

In 1987, Neill became group chief executive at Unipart, later assuming the roles of chairman and chief executive in 2012 before becoming executive chairman in October 2022.

He will retire from his day-to-day responsibilities and step down as a board member on 31 August, while continuing to support the business until the end of November. He will remain Unipart’s largest individual shareholder.

Under Neill’s leadership, Unipart transformed into a global enterprise with operations in 21 countries and over 12,000 employees. The company reported a £1 billion turnover in 2023, with significant profitability growth, positioning Unipart for continued success. This year, Unipart celebrates its 50th anniversary - a milestone John played a crucial role in achieving.

Neill‘s visionary leadership is exemplified by “The Unipart Way,” a commitment to excellence and innovation that has defined the company’s culture.

Reflecting on his career, Neill expressed deep gratitude for the relationships and achievements made throughout his journey at Unipart, noting the importance of radical innovation in transforming the company from a declining parts division to a thriving, independent business.

Beyond his contributions to Unipart, Neill has played an influential role in the broader business community, serving on various boards and working groups, and earning a CBE for his services to industry in 1994.

Neill  now plans to spend more time with his family and to take on additional non-executive roles, while continuing his support for external organisations and mentoring commitments.

A smooth transition plan is in place, with the creation of a new non-executive chair position starting 1 September.