| THE DIRECTORS |
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| Robert Forrester: Chief Executive Officer |
Originally from Burnley in Lancashire, Robert qualified as a chartered accountant during his time with Arthur Andersen and is a member of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Confederation of British Industry. Prior to entering the motor retail sector he was a director of Brookhouse Group Limited, a substantial private property investment company in the North West of England, where he was responsible for development, investment and financing of the company’s portfolio.
Robert first entered motor retail in 2001 as Finance Director of Reg Vardy plc and was appointed Managing Director in 2005, a position he held until 2006 when the very successful business was sold for over £500m to Pendragon plc. During his time at Reg Vardy the company grew from 65 to 100 dealerships and provided a significant return to shareholders throughout the trading years and through the sale of the business in February 2006.
Robert formed Vertu Motors in December 2006 and was successful in attracting many proven industry professionals to join the company. |
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| Karen Anderson: Finance Director |
| Karen also trained as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen and first entered the industry with Reg Vardy plc as Group Accountant. Karen was quickly appointed as Group Financial Controller and successfully managed all financial aspects of the business prior to its acquisition in February 2006 by Pendragon plc. Karen worked for Pendragon plc from February 2006 to September 2006 and was heavily involved in the implementation of a new financial management structure for the enlarged group. The launch of Vertu in 2006 saw the appointment of Karen to her current role as Finance Director on the plc Board. |
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| Paul Williams: Non-Executive Chairman |
| Paul was Chief Executive of Bristol Street Group Limited until its acquisition by Vertu Motors plc. Paul has over thirty years of motor retail experience and is well respected in the motor retail sector. This was reflected by his appointment to the role of Chairman of the National Franchised Dealer Association (NFDA) and further reinforced when he was appointed as the new Chairman of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) on 1 October 2008. |
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| Bill Teasdale: Non-Executive Director |
| Bill was Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at Reg Vardy plc between 2002 and 2006. Prior to this he was the Senior Partner at the Newcastle upon Tyne office of PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the world’s largest professional services firms. Bill has substantial experience of corporate transactions within the quoted company environment. |
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| CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S COMMITTEE |
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The CEO Committee is an Operational Board of senior Directors who meet regularly to discuss company performance and to review issues and opportunities that exist and to agree short, medium and long-term strategies to benefit and further develop the business.
The committee is chaired by Robert Forrester (see above) and consists of Karen Anderson (see above) and the following Directors:
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| David Crane: Commercial Director |
| David was appointed Commercial Director of Vertu Motors plc in February 2007. He joined Reg Vardy plc in 1999 and was Commercial Director of Reg Vardy plc between 2004 and 2006, until the sale of Reg Vardy plc to Pendragon plc in February 2006, at which point he was appointed Group Services Director of Pendragon plc. During his time as Commercial Director, David was responsible for aftersales strategy, relationships with vehicle manufacturers and commercial relationships with key corporate customers. Prior to his employment with Reg Vardy plc he was Aftersales Operations Manager at Renault UK between 1991 and 1999. |
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| Steve Ferry: Sales and Marketing Director |
| Steve was appointed Sales and Marketing Director of Vertu Motors plc in February 2007. He had enjoyed a long and successful career at Reg Vardy plc having joined the group as a Sales Manager when it was in its infancy. He undertook a variety of roles culminating in Operations Director, responsible for the sales operations in all their dealerships in terms of advertising, standards of display and sales and marketing plans and overseeing their used car reconditioning operation until the sale of the company to Pendragon plc in February 2006, at which point he continued in the role for them. |
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| Colin Kent: Group Operations Director Vauxhall, Citroen & Peugeot |
| Colin was appointed Group Operations Director of Vertu Motors plc in February 2007. He has significant industry experience and was Regional Operations Director of Reg Vardy plc between 1999 and 2007. Initially, he was responsible for the company’s Vauxhall dealership and its relationship with that manufacturer but, more latterly, he looked after all that company’s dealerships in the Yorkshire and West Midlands. He had joined that group in 1990 as General Manager and turned very large dealerships in both Wolverhampton and Reading from under-performing operations into the most profitable outlets in the entire Ford UK network. |
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| Tom Fairgrieve: Group Operations Director Ford, Renault & Honda |
| Tom was appointed Group Operations Director of Vertu Motors plc in February 2007. He has over 30 years industry experience and was Regional Operations Director of Reg Vardy plc between 2004 and June 2006, responsible for over 20 dealer operations in the West of Scotland covering Ford, Vauxhall, Mercedes-Benz, Fiat and Alfa Romeo. Prior to this he was a franchise director at CD Bramall plc and Quicks plc with responsibility for the group’s Ford dealerships in Scotland, the North West of England and the South East of England. |
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| Ian Harrison: Ford Director |
| Ian was appointed to the CEO committee on 1st October 2008 having joined the Group in January 2008. In his role as Ford Director he manages all aspects of the Group’s Ford operations, sales, after sales, bodyshop and parts. Prior to joining the Group enjoyed a successful two year spell at Pendragon plc as Regional Director. He has over 20 years experience in the industry and has extensive knowledge of the Ford franchise developed during his time with Quicks and CD Brammall. |
