BILL LYNCH STEPS DOWN
Lauded South African motor industry entrepreneur Bill Lynch has announced that he will vacate his position as chief executive of Imperial Holdings. Lynch, who was one of the leading speakers at the CAR Conference of 2004, has achieved legendary status for building up a small motor retailer into a major diversified multinational group over a period of nearly four decades.

The man who defeated high profile entrants from 31 countries to be voted Ernst and Young World Entrepeneur of the Year in 2006 - the first time a SA businessman had scooped the title in the award programme's 20-year history - and his wife Ann arrived in South Africa from Ireland in 1971 with barely enough money to survive the first few months in the country. After cold calling a few potential employers, Lynch was hired by a failing motor dealership, Imperial, which has transformed into one of the country's leading industrial groups, employing 36 000 people, under his leadership.

Lynch's decision to step down is not altogether surprising, however. Although he recently made a complete recovery from a serious illness, Imperial Holdings announced at the end of August last year the appointment of a deputy chief executive and two new executive directors, after Lynch announced his intention "to delegate more of his operational responsibilities to focus on broader strategic and growth opportunities for the group".

He'll stay on as a non-executive deputy chairperson of Imperial and has repeatedly stressed that he was committed to the group for the long haul. His early departure, at 62, means that the group's chairman Leo Boyd, who was due to retire when he turned 70, will now stay on an extra year.

GENERAL MOTORS SOUTH AFRICA APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR, FINANCE.

Anil Mehrotra replaced Chris Allen as director of finance at GM South Africa on March 1. Indian-born Mehrotra has extensive experience in the manufacturing industry - he last worked at GM India as vice president of finance for more than five years and joined the finance team of General Motors in South Africa a year ago.

Prior to his appointment at GM India, Mehrotra was head of financial planning at Nestlé India. He holds an Honours Degree in Economics and Masters Degree in Business Finance.

VWSA NAMES NEW COMMERCIAL VEHICLES HEAD
Volkswagen of South Africa has announced the appointment of Bob Jones to the position of General Manager of the Uitenhage-based company's Commercial Vehicles division with effect from May 1. Jones is said to be highly qualified in the commercial vehicles field and has spent more than 30 years in the motor industry. His previous appointment was as business unit director for Tyco Trucks.

SENIOR APPOINTMENT AT NISSAN DIESEL SA
Rory Schulz is Nissan Diesel South Africa's new General Manager of Operations. Schulz has been with the company for the past 16 years, and been particularly involved in marketing and product planning. In his new position, he will oversee various operational departments, including sales, parts, marketing and product planning.

Hiroshi Yokofujita, chief executive of Nissan Diesel South Africa, said Schulz' appointment reflected the high level of expertise and quality of management that was already present in Nissan Diesel South Africa.

GOODYEAR NAMES NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR OF TRENTYRE
Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Holdings recently announced the appointment of Mike King to the position of managing director for Goodyear retail operation, TrenTyre. King, who had been Goodyear's sales and marketing director for the past five years, replaced Matthias Urban, the TrenTyre's managing director since 2005, on April 1.

King joined Goodyear in 1984 as a Retail Area Manager. He experienced several promotions in commercial truck tyre and consumer tyre positions before being appointed sales and marketing director in 2002. His replacement will be announced at a later stage.