Inchcape CSO changes to support growth ambitions

Inchcape’s CSO Mike Bowers is to step down from the role at the end of this month as he moves to Chile to become CEO, Americas at the global automotive distributor. Bowers will be replaced by current Chief Strategy Officer Liz Brown, who will expand her role to become Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, based in London. 

The organisation says the changes will enable Inchcape to deliver on its growth ambitions out to 2030 and will reinforce its position as the world’s leading independent automotive distribution business. Brown has a degree in economics and management from the University of Oxford. 

Inchcape Group Chief Executive Duncan Tait said: “These senior leadership changes come at an important time for Inchcape as we look to build on the success of recent years with our new Accelerate+ strategy.  

“Our ambition is to further enhance our position as the world’s leading independent automotive Distributor, building a stronger more diversified company that generates sustainable growth and value for our OEMs and investors.”

Four pillars of sustainability

In an exclusive interview with CSO Futures published earlier this month, Bowers explained the three distinct elements to the Inchcape CSO role; namely regulatory compliance, sustainability disclosures and a strategic focus that has seen the organisation reduce its own emissions by 38% since 2019. It has set a reductions target of 46% by 2030 and a goal of being carbon neutral by 2040. 

In its FY24 financial results published earlier this month, the organisation described how the group has enhanced its sustainability framework to address an evolving environment, with an ambition to accelerate the global mobility transition. 

In the last financial year, over 1,000 technicians have enrolled in its battery repair training programme. In addition, the group initiated a partnership with the Singapore Polytechnic Academy to deliver EV training courses to around 260 employees, arming them with skills needed in the fast-evolving EV landscape. 

The group says it has made progress against each of its four sustainability pillars – Planet, People, Places and Practices. This includes a 37% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since the 2019 baseline, the rollout of an Inclusive Hiring Training Program for over 90% of hiring managers, development of a Women Mechanics Training Programme in Uruguay, with planned expansion across the Americas.

The company is due to release its sustainability report in May.