Listed company Bapcor Ltd has appointed its former chief financial officer Noel Meehan as its new chief executive officer. Mr Meehan was also acting CEO since December.

Mr Mehan’s election follows the removal by the Bapcor board of former CEO Darryl Abotomey who held that position since 2011.

Bapcor executive chair Margaret Haseltine said: “The board is delighted to confirm Noel’s appointment as Bapcor’s CEO.

“The board has invested considerable time and effort in CEO succession. Having completed an extensive global search that included a number of high calibre candidates, we are confident that Noel is the best person to lead Bapcor.

“In performing his duties as acting CEO, Noel has ably demonstrated his depth of knowledge, understanding and passion for the business, its strategic opportunity and sustainable success.”

Mr Meehan said: “It is an honour to be appointed CEO of Bapcor. My focus will be on the company’s continued strong performance, being responsive to an evolving external environment and delivering on Bapcor’s future growth opportunity.

“Having worked with the board, group leadership team and the broader team as both CFO and acting CEO, I am excited by the opportunity to lead the company at this stage of its journey and deliver long-term value for all Bapcor stakeholders.”

Mr Meehan joined Bapcor on June 1, 2020 from CFO roles at Toll Group and Treasury Wine Estates Limited. He has also held executive roles at Orica Limited (finance director) and Qantas.

He is a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Mathematics and Planning and Administration from the University of Leeds and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Bapcor has also appointed former chairman and managing director of GM Holden, Mark Bernhard, to the board.

He was the head of Holden from 2015 to 2018 and oversaw its closure in 2017. He is also a non-executive director of Australian carbon-fibre wheel manufacturer Carbon Revolution Ltd.

By Neil Dowling