Bowker Group which incorporates Bowker Motor Group (www.bowkermotorgroup.co.uk) and Bowker Transport (www.bowkertransport.co.uk) has appointed a new Chief Financial Officer.
53-year old Andrew Gee from Wigan has begun the new role for both businesses.
It is the first time a key position has been created with roles at both the separate Lancashire businesses that trade under the Bowker family name.
Andrew has more than 20 years of wide-ranging financial experience to the role including boardroom roles with JJB Sports plc, Dave Whelan Sports Ltd, HIMOR Group Ltd and most recently Lewis’s Home Retail Ltd. t/a TJ Hughes.
Andrew Gee said: “This is an exciting role, made more fascinating by the fact that it spans two of Lancashire’s most famous family businesses. There is a significant opportunity to identify synergies between the businesses, and I believe that will contribute to their continued success.
“Only 18 months ago, Bowker Transport acquired Potter logistics. And the Motor Group’s strategy for investment in new Dealerships continues with the building the new Porsche Centre in Preston. There’s plenty to do and many reasons to be excited for the future.”
Bowker’s UK and European Transport employs over 450 people and operates more than 200 vehicles and 450 trailers throughout the UK and Europe, together with over 1,000,000 square feet of warehousing from its sites at Preston, Droitwich, Knowsley, Hull, Ripon, Selby and York.
Bill Bowker, director of W H Bowker, said: “Andrew brings a wealth of expertise to the role. He has a demonstrable understanding of how family businesses work and he has an excellent knowledge of both retail and business to business sectors. We are looking forward to working with him.”
The Bowker Motor Group employs over 400 people at sites throughout Lancashire including Bowker BMW and MINI in Blackburn and Preston; Bowker Maserati and Ribble Valley in Osbaldeston; and Bowker Harley-Davidson and Bowker Motorrad in Preston.
Bowker Motor Group chief executive Paul Bowker said: “Both Bowker businesses already share the best of Lancashire family entrepreneurial spirit. So, it makes perfect sense to jointly appoint a Chief Financial Officer of Andrew’s calibre. He has an excellent track record working with other renowned businesses throughout his career and we are delighted he is joining us at such an exciting time.”
