Autogem has kicked off the New Year with a huge statement of intent, after we secured the services of one of the aftermarket’s most respected professionals.
Tony Neill, former CEO of Axle Group, is joining our business as a strategic advisor, with plans to significantly grow the company in the coming years. The appointment is seen is a big coup and adds invaluable expertise and strength to our senior management team, headed up by Prashant and Adit Chopra.
Tony said he was delighted by the opportunity, which arose after a number of informal talks with the team during the back end of 2023.
He said: “I’ve known Prashant and Adit for a long time and know Autogem well from the many years they were supplying the Axle Group. It’s a brilliant and progressive company which does business the right way. I’ve always been impressed with their business model and the way it operates. Autogem is synonymous with good values and impeccable ethics, so to work with the team is an exciting prospect.
“Yes, there are challenges, but there are a number of opportunities too, which I’ll be identifying and maximising. One look at their recent NTDA Award wins serves as a reminder of Autogem’s standing in the aftermarket, but I think that they deserve a bigger share of the market and that’s what I want to help them achieve.
“The company is always innovating and there is a great opportunity to capitalise on this, along with their online presence which has always been impressive. Autogem has always been an easy company to do business with and I will be doing all I can to accentuate these positives and facilitate growth through my own industry knowledge and experience.
Managing Director Prashant Chopra said: “Working with Tony is an extremely exciting development for Autogem and we regard it as a big statement of intent. There are few professionals in the aftermarket more talented and respected than Tony and we can only benefit from his presence inside our business. We wanted to start 2024 with a bang, and Tony’s arrival as strategic advisor has allowed us to do this. We will be a stronger business from his guidance and we couldn’t be more excited about the future with Tony being part of the team”
Adit Chopra said: “As owners of Autogem, our company is made up of the type of people that we are proud to be associated with and there can be no better example of this than Tony. Sometimes it’s not just about the how much, but the how, and although Tony needed some cajoling to tempt him away from his golf clubs, it really was the most seamless agreement for all parties. We intend to grow, and I’m sure Tony will be an integral part of the next phase of our development.
As former CEO of Axle Group, Tony oversaw the National Tyres retail operation as well as the Viking International tyre wholesale division, bringing an unprecedented wealth of knowledge and experience to Autogem.