– Dealer group CEO to step down amid leadership reshuffle
– New deputy and CFO appointments to drive integration
– Focus on growth, alignment and top 10 market position
– Dealer group CEO to step down amid leadership reshuffle
– New deputy and CFO appointments to drive integration
– Focus on growth, alignment and top 10 market position
AWR Holdings has announced its chief executive officer José Blanco is set to step down later this year.
The AM100 heavyweight, which comprises Brayleys Cars and Johnsons Cars, has undergone significant expansion in recent years.
Brayleys Cars founder Paul Brayley started the business in 2003 with a single Honda business in St Albans and expanded it over time to add franchises including Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Renault and Suzuki.
He sold a significant stake in the business in 2018 to Dubai-based franchised car retailer AW Rostamani Group, which subsequently acquired Nissan dealer group Aprite and rebranded its Westway dealerships as Brayleys.
When Paul Brayley retired as CEO from the group last March, Europcar executive Jose Blanco was chosen to replace him.
Athenaeum International Holdings, the owner of AM100 dealership group Brayleys Cars, then went on to acquire Johnsons Cars in May 2025 to create one of the UK’s top ten automotive retailers with a £1.6bn turnover, 79 dealerships and 21 manufacturer brands.
Leadership transition
The business said Blanco has played a key role in overseeing the integration and growth of the enlarged group, with the board acknowledging his contribution during what it described as an important phase of development.
Former KPMG automotive chief Andrew Burn who recently joined the business as deputy CEO will now work alongside Blanco ahead of his departure to ensure a smooth transition until a new CEO is in situ.
Burn brings experience from his previous role as a partner at KPMG, where he also served as head of automotive in the UK, alongside multiple board roles across the sector.
The leadership changes also include the appointment of Punit Shetty as chief financial officer, joining from AW Rostamani in Dubai where he held the role of automotive chief financial officer for 15 years.
Focus on growth, integration
Both Burn and Shetty will focus on aligning operations across Brayleys and Johnsons while maintaining operational and financial continuity.
The group said priorities include embedding best practice, strengthening performance disciplines and supporting future growth ambitions as it builds on its position as a top 10 UK dealer group.
Commenting on the transition, Andrew Burn said: “This is a very exciting time for the group. Bringing Brayleys and Johnsons together creates a powerful platform from which to continue our growth strategy.
“We have already launched several initiatives to align all areas of the business, building on proven best practice from across both organisations while we actively review and develop new and innovative approaches as we strive to excel and challenge traditional thinking across the sector.
“The depth of talent, experience and capability within our team is exceptional, and following our recent national conference there is a real buzz and momentum across the business.”
He added that shareholders were absolutely committed to the group and were focused on delivering the strategic objective of delivering best in class customer service and work environment for its workforce.
“With that unwavering support combined with the strength of Brayleys and Johnsons,” Burn said, “we know we are in an exciting position and will create something truly remarkable together.”
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