CARSALES Limited has appointed Jeffrey Browne as chairman of the board, replacing founding chairman Wal Pisciotta who is stepping down “as a result of increased personal commitments”.

Mr Pisciotta has more than 35 years’ experience in supplying computer services to the automotive industry and is also chairman of dealer management software provider Pentana Solutions (previously Reynolds & Reynolds), which is integrally linked with Carsales.

He has been chairman of Carsales since its establishment in 1997 and will stay on as a non-executive director. Richard Collins continues in his role as deputy chairman.

“It has been a great honour and a privilege to have been chairman of Carsales.com Ltd for the past 18-plus years,” Mr Pisciotta said. “I look forward to continuing my contribution to the company with full confidence in Jeff to chair the board.”

Mr Browne is also chairman of Holden Special Vehicles and has been a director or chairman of the lion brand’s performance division for well over a decade.

He practiced as a commercial lawyer in Sydney and Melbourne for 22 years before joining the Nine Network in 2006, initially as executive director but later as managing director.

In August 2013, he stepped back to a newly created parttime role of executive director (commercial) at Nine Entertainment Co. In December that year he rejoined the Carsales board, having previously served from December 2007 to April 2011.

By Terry Martin