Auto Trader Group plc, the UK’s largest automotive marketplace, has announced the appointment of two Independent Non-Executive Directors to the Board. Geeta Gopalan and Amanda James will be joining the Board on 1 May 2024 and 1 July 2024, respectively. They will also become members of the Audit, Remuneration, Corporate Responsibility, and Nomination Committees.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 AGM on 19 September 2024, Geeta will take on the role of Senior Independent Director and Remuneration Committee Chair, while Amanda will become the Audit Committee Chair, pending shareholder approval. These appointments are part of the company’s long-term succession planning as David Keens and Jill Easterbrook will not stand for re-election at the 2024 AGM after completing their third three-year terms.
Geeta currently serves on the boards of Funding Circle plc, Intrum S.A., and as a Trustee of The Old Vic Theatre. She will also join NatWest Group plc as a Non-Executive Director from 1 July 2024. Amanda, currently the Chief Financial Officer of NEXT Plc, will retire from NEXT at the end of September 2024 and join the board of British Land Company plc as a Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee member from 1 July 2024.
The Board of Auto Trader Group plc will consist of seven Independent Non-Executive Directors, three Executive Directors, and a Non-Executive Chair with the addition of Geeta and Amanda. Following the AGM, the number of Independent Non-Executive Directors will reduce to five, meeting diversity targets with 67% women on the Board, a woman holding the position of Senior Independent Director, and two directors from a minority ethnic background.
Chair of Auto Trader Group, Matt Davies, expressed his excitement about the new appointments, stating, “I am delighted to welcome both Geeta and Amanda to the Board. Between them, they bring a wealth of experience in digital innovation, finance, consumer and retail sectors. We are eager to benefit from their expertise as we continue to advance our strategy to enhance the online car buying journey.” Davies also expressed gratitude to David and Jill for their contributions to Auto Trader and wished them well for the future.
