RCS - Vertu Motors PLC - Appointment of Chief Technology Officer

Vertu MotorsAnnouncement

19/04/2022 07:00

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RNS Number : 5015I  Vertu Motors PLC  19 April 2022

19 April 2022

 

Vertu Motors plc ("Vertu Motors" or the "Group")

Bruce Clark Appointed Chief Technology Officer

Vertu Motors, the UK automotive retailer with a network of 159 sales and
aftersales outlets, is delighted to announce the appointment of Bruce Clark as
Chief Technology Officer, a newly created role within the senior management of
the Group. Bruce Clark, was previously IT Director.

Exploiting the opportunities that technology offers is a key differentiator in
the ability to prosper in the automotive retail sector today and in the
future. The role will cover:

-      Digitalisation developments including leading the 50 strong
inhouse software and robotics development team. The Group has always been
strong in this area as illustrated by the launch of full online retailing of
used cars in May 2017 and the progressive development of the Group's
Click2Drive sales technology platform.

-      Data and cyber security including continued augmentation of the
Group's specialist unit in this area.

-      IT operations providing IT hardware and connectivity to the
Group's sales and aftersales outlets. This is a complex environment with links
to suppliers and manufacturers. There is a strong roadmap and the Group has
recently migrated it web servers to Amazon Web Services significantly
increasing web speed and customer experiences.

-      Data analytics. The Group has developed a very strong management
information and customer data platform across the business. Further
developments are planned focused on customer data and increased data analysis
in the area of used car stock and pricing.

Bruce joined the Group in 2013 and has been the IT Director for the last 2
years. Bruce's promotion into the newly created CTO role gives him a place on
the Group's CEO Committee and marks a further step change in the Group's focus
on technology strategy and the management bandwidth to deliver the Group's
strategic technology plans.  Further recruitment will now commence to replace
Bruce's previous role and for a new Head of Data. These two recruits will join
a team of 110 colleagues charged with equipping Vertu with robust internal
systems and delivering a sector leading omni-channel retail environment
encompassing sales and aftersales operations.

Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu Motors said:

"I am delighted to welcome Bruce into a new role and onto the CEO Committee.
Vertu has long led the sector from a technology perspective, as illustrated by
our offering full online sales of used cars ahead of anyone else back in 2017,
and these changes will equip Vertu with the necessary skills and strategies to
drive our omni-channel offering into the next decade and beyond."

 

For further information please contact:

 

 Vertu Motors plc        Tel: 0191 491 2121

Robert Forrester, CEO

Karen Anderson, CFO
 Camarco                 Tel: 020 3757 4983

 Billy Clegg

 Tom Huddart

 Recognition PR          Tel: 01325 363 436

 Graham Robb

 Caroline Walker

 

Notes to Editors

Vertu Motors is the fifth largest automotive retailer in the UK with a network
of 159 sales outlets across the UK. Its dealerships operate predominantly
under the Bristol Street Motors, Vertu and Macklin Motors brand names.

Vertu Motors was established in November 2006 with the strategy to consolidate
the UK motor retail sector.  It is intended that the Group will continue to
acquire motor retail operations to grow a scaled dealership group.  The
Group's acquisition strategy is supplemented by a focused organic growth
strategy to drive operational efficiencies through its national dealership
network. The Group currently operates 156 franchised sales outlets and 3
non-franchised sales operations from 120 locations across the UK.

Vertu's Mission Statement is to "deliver an outstanding customer motoring
experience through honesty and trust".

Vertu Motors Group websites - investors.vertumotors.com / www.vertucareers.com

Vertu brand websites - www.vertumotors.com / www.bristolstreet.co.uk /
www.macklinmotors.co.uk / www.vertumotorcycles.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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