Sytner CEO Darren Edwards is to retire, effective January 1, 2025.
Edwards has worked in motor sector for 40 years working in the automotive industry, culminating in a 20-year career with Sytner Group, the past 10 years as CEO.
He will be replaced by John Cragg, who is relocating from the US to Britain. Cragg is currently executive vice president east operations for Sytner parent company Penske Automotive Group (PAG).
Roger Penske, chair and CEO of PAG, said: “Darren’s leadership and operational contributions have led to significant growth of our UK operations. Under his guidance, Sytner has become synonymous with excellence in the marketplace, with our OEM partners and amongst our 10,600 team members.
“Over the past ten years our revenue has doubled, and our team has grown by nearly 4,000 people. Most importantly, Darren has always put ‘team’ first, which has resulted in numerous industry awards including the Sunday Times Best Company to Work for. Darren will be greatly missed at Sytner and by the Penske organization and we wish him and his wife Nicky, a joyous next chapter of their lives.
“I’m pleased to announce that John Cragg will be relocating to the UK as the CEO of Sytner Group. John’s significant roots at Sytner include eighteen years of progressively more significant roles beginning as a sale executive in 1994 and achieving success in each ensuing role he held including divisional managing director of our Audi division.
“In 2012, John was appointed executive vice president, east operations for PAG and his leadership capabilities and extraordinary people skills have been noted as benchmarks of excellence from both inside and outside the company. John will relocate to the UK in early October and work with Darren through a transition period, beginning his new assignment on January 1, 2025.”
Edwards said: “Over the past 40 years I have had the privilege to be part of this amazing and diverse industry. Having started as an apprentice in 1984 and retiring in 2024 as CEO of one of the UK’s most admired dealer groups, my career has been an incredibly rewarding journey and I will remain forever grateful to Roger, the teams at Penske and Sytner and the many personalities who have supported me over all these years.
“With John as CEO, I know the group has an extremely bright future. Looking ahead, I am excited at the prospect of spending quality time with my wife Nicky, our daughters Charlotte and Ella and our growing family.”