Automotive distributor Inchcape has announced the retirement of long-serving chief executive Nick Senior, as the group combines its Asian and Australian businesses into a single APAC region.
George Ashford, who currently heads the Asia business, will lead the expanded region.
Ashford was Senior’s predecessor in Australia.
Senior will retire on April 1 after being with Inchcape for 29 years.
“In an industry that is rapidly evolving, it is important that we are organised in the right way to meet the challenges, change and complexity ahead,” Senior says.
“Following a review of our regional organisation, Inchcape announced to its employees a new structure that includes the formation of APAC – a new region which comprises the current Asia and Australasia businesses.
“This new, expanded region will be headed by George. Having spent five years leading Australasia before transferring into the CEO role of the larger Asian business, George is well qualified to integrate and leverage the expanded footprint.”
Senior joined Subaru Australia in a corporate public relations role in 1991, before working in roles of national advertising manager, national marketing manager, general manager, then managing director in 2005.
He has been Inchape Australasia chief executive since October 1, 2016.
Before joining Subaru Australia, Senior worked as a motoring journalist on the Daily Mirror and Daily Telegraph in Sydney.
A proud Tasmanian, Senior has an interest in sport, as his passion for rallying was reflected in Subaru Rally Team Australia’s unbroken run of 10 championship wins from 1995-2005.
Ashford joined the Inchcape Group in March 2006 as director of implementation of Inchcape Advantage.
He led the implementation of a group-wide strategic programme, putting the customer at the centre of the group’s service initiatives.
In October 2006, Ashford was appointed managing director of European retail, where he led the implementation of retail operation programmes across the European retail network.
Ashford spent five years leading Inchcape Australasia before heading the Asia business.
Senior leaves the company after 29 years to the day, allowing time for him to work with Ashford on the changeover.
