Auto Trader Group plc (LON:AUTO), the UK’s largest automotive marketplace, has announced that, following a comprehensive search and selection process, Matt Davies will be appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Director, Chair Designate and as a member of the Nomination Committee. The appointment is part of the Board’s long-term succession planning given Ed Williams will come to the end of his third three-year term in 2024.
Matt will join the Board with effect from 1 July 2023 and will succeed Ed Williams as Chair of the Board and Nomination Committee at the conclusion of the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 14 September 2023, subject to shareholder approval. Ed will not stand for election at the 2023 AGM, stepping down as a Director from that date.
Matt is an experienced Chair, board member and executive, having held roles as CEO of Pets at Home, Halfords and Tesco UK&ROI. Matt is currently Chair at Greggs plc where he was appointed in August 2022, and was formerly the Chair of N Brown plc and a Non-Executive Director of Dunelm Group plc. He is Chair of privately owned businesses Hobbycraft and Travel Counsellors.
Ed Williams, Chair of Auto Trader, said: “It has been a privilege to serve as the Auto Trader Chair throughout our eight years as a public company and I look forward to watching the Company’s continued progress.”
Nathan Coe, CEO of Auto Trader, said: “I would like to thank Ed for his huge contribution to Auto Trader’s strategy, business and culture over many years. I look forward to working with Matt who brings a wealth of UK retail, digital and brand experience and is a great fit with both the Board and organisation.”
Matt Davies said: “Auto Trader is a great company and I am delighted to be taking on this role in a business with such a strong sense of purpose. I am excited to work with the Board, Nathan and the wider team to deliver on this over the coming years.”
