Bapcor’s chief executive officer, Angus McKay, has resigned after serving less than 18 months in the role. This follows his recent demotion from the dual position of executive chairman and chief executive. Bapcor is a listed car parts retailer in Australia and New Zealand, operating brands like Autobarn and Burson Auto Parts, supplying automotive aftermarket parts and services.
The company has appointed Chris Wilesmith as the new chief executive officer and managing director. Wilesmith’s prior experience includes executive roles such as chief executive of Jaycar Electronics, chief executive of Mitre 10 New Zealand, and a seven-year tenure as managing director of Supercheap Auto. Bapcor operates across the automotive aftermarket, serving trade, retail, and wholesale customers.
Executive chairman Lachlan Edwards, who assumed the executive chairman role last month, stated, “Chris brings deep and broad automotive aftermarket experience to Bapcor. His previous senior roles in growing businesses in each of Bapcor’s segments will be critical to take our businesses into their next phase of driving growth and performance.”
McKay’s departure follows that of lead independent director Mark Powell, who resigned from the board two weeks prior. Powell was instrumental in recruiting McKay to Bapcor in July of the previous year, persuading shareholders of his ability to implement a new operating model that would enhance the company’s value beyond the rejected $1.83 billion takeover proposal from Bain Capital. McKay and Powell previously collaborated at 7-Eleven Australia, where they held the positions of chief executive and executive chairman, respectively.
