McConnell resigns as Inchcape FD to return to Australia

THE finance director of Inchcape, John McConnell, is to leave the automotive group after 16 years with the business, the company has announced.

McConnell, group FD for the past six years, will formally leave in March 2016 and return to his native Australia.

Ken Hanna, Inchcape group chairman said: “John’s expertise and insight as both group finance director and a member of the executive committee have been invaluable and he leaves behind a strong team and a business in great shape.”

McConnell said: “I have very much enjoyed my time with Inchcape, both running the Australasia operations for four years, and then as group FD in the UK. It is now time for me and my family to return to Australia and move on to the next chapter in our lives. Inchcape is an outstanding company and I am proud to have been part of its success over the past 16 years.”

Earlier this week, Nigel Stein, the boss of FTSE 100 engineering group GKN and its former finance director, joined the Inchcape board as a non-executive director.

Stein, who served as GKN’s group finance director before becoming chief executive in January 2012, will join the automotive group’s audit committee upon appointment.