Two Senior Appointments as Duckhams Invests in UK Growth Strategy

Duckhams has welcomed two new senior leaders as it focuses its investment in the UK market.

Chris Chaplin has joined Duckhams as Head of Marketing, bringing with him over 15 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket sector. Chris has spent the last five years working as Marketing Director at Tetrosyl Group, developing and implementing marketing strategies for Tetrosyl's Trade & International divisions. Before that, Chris led the marketing team at Alliance Automotive Group UK & Ireland for eight years, providing marketing support and driving brand awareness for over 400 member businesses in the group.

Lee Shipley has been appointed Sales Key Account Manager UK & Ireland. Lee joins Duckhams from GSF Group, where he led a field sales force of 45 staff across the UK and Ireland. As Head of Development and Field Sales, he was responsible for all Field sales activity for the Porsche sales division and Oil sales for the UK and Ireland. Lee has also worked at Comma Oils, Euro Car Parts and Michelin in a range of Technical and Managerial roles.

"I am delighted to welcome Chris and Lee to our growing UK team," Mike Bewsey, CEO of Duckhams, said. "Both Chris and Lee have a strong track record of delivering commercial success in the UK automotive aftermarket.

Following the appointment of Graham Lane, Head of Commercial and Henrik Hansen, Head of Sales, last year, their arrival further strengthens our UK Team. Duckhams has significant brand equity in the UK, and our new direct-to-market strategy, backed by new investment from Zuber Issa CBE, is allowing us to capitalise on this much-loved brand's growth potential."