AUTOMOTIVE aftermarket distributor RPM Automotive Group has promoted executive director and chief operating officer Guy Nicholls to CEO effective immediately.

The ASX-listed RPM business comprises several divisions involved in importing, wholesaling and retailing of tyres, mechanical repairs, motorsport apparel and safety equipment, niche manufacturing and a roadside assistance service for the transport industry.

Among its brands are RPM Racewear, Carline, Genie, Revolution Racegear, RPM Autoparts, Safety Dave and Max 4×4.

Guy Nicholls

Mr Nicholls is an industry veteran with more than three decades of global automotive expertise who joined the RPM Board in August 2022.

His extensive leadership experience includes time at automotive companies including GUD Holdings subsidiary Ryco Group, Genuine Parts Company (parent company of Repco, Sparesbox and Rare Spares among others), and Adelaide-based manufacturer Redarc Electronics.

Additionally, Mr Nicholls spent six years on the board of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) at a time when the group successfully advocated for aftermarket products and services to be protected within new car statutory warranty periods, resulting in consumers having more choice when servicing or maintaining vehicles.

Mr Nicholls succeeds RPM co-founder Clive Finkelstein who will move from CEO to a purely strategic role and continue his involvement as chief commercial officer charged with ensuring the progression of strategic initiatives and commercial development within the group.

RPM chair Lawrence Jaffe said, “Clive has been an outstanding leader of the RPM Group as co-founder of the business. In 2019 Clive successfully led the group as it transitioned from a private company to listing on the ASX and has done a tremendous job growing the company into an automotive aftermarket leader with a significant footprint across Australia.

“The Board is grateful for his tenure as CEO and looks forward to his continued leadership as CCO.

“We welcome Guy Nicholls to the helm and believe the time is right for fresh leadership to guide us through our next phase of growth.

“Guy’s experience in the global automotive aftermarket industry is unmatched and combined with his extensive knowledge of mergers and acquisitions and integrations of business units, will undoubtedly contribute to the future success of the RPM Group.”