LKQ Corporation has announced the appointment of Andy Hamilton as its Senior Vice President of LKQ and President and Managing Director of LKQ Europe.
Hamilton will be succeeding Varun Laroyia, Executive Vice President of LKQ and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of LKQ Europe. The appointment comes as part of a raft of changes the company has announced, and will also see a change at the top of LKQ Euro Car Parts.
Kevan Wooden, currently Chief Commercial Officer for LKQ UK & Ireland, is to succeed Andy Hamilton. He joined LKQ Euro Car Parts in 2019 and has previously held senior commercial leadership roles at CBRE and Johnson Controls.
Wooden has played a key role in helping shape and deliver the UK and Ireland strategy and LKQ Euro Car Parts’ channel development approach which has gone from strength to strength under his tenure. He oversaw the integration of Digraph into the wider group earlier this year.
Step up for Andy Hamilton
Commenting on Andy Hamilton’s appointment, Dominick Zarcone, President and CEO of LKQ Corporation, said, “Andy’s extensive experience, including several years as our pan European Chief Commercial Officer and then as CEO of our largest and most profitable European operation, makes him a natural selection to lead our European team.”
He joined LKQ Euro Car Parts in 2010, which was acquired by LKQ in 2011. During his tenure at LKQ Euro Car Parts, he held several executive roles the last of which was Chief Operating Officer in 2015. In 2016, he was appointed Chief Commercial Officer of LKQ Europe, where he was responsible for several key pan-European projects before returning to the UK and Ireland business in 2019 to become Chief Executive Officer.
During the last four years he has overseen a significant transformation programme that has touched everything from the company’s brand and culture to its infrastructure and digital operations, helping to drive a major uplift in its commercial performance.
One of his final acts as CEO was to create a new LKQ UK & Ireland group of companies following the successful acquisition of specialist heavy vehicle motor factor, Digraph, earlier this year.
Commenting on the changes, Andy Hamilton said, “I am excited to be returning to LKQ Europe at such a pivotal moment in the aftermarket’s future.
“The LKQ UK & Ireland group of companies are being left in exceptionally good hands with Kevan, who has been a key partner to me during the transformation of the businesses over the last four years.”
To ensure a smooth transition, Varun Laroyia will serve as a special advisor to Andy Hamilton in 2024. “Varun has been a trusted partner and integral to LKQ’s success during the past six years, and I would like to thank him for his dedication to the Company, his significant contributions, and his assistance with the transition,” noted Zarcone.
“The ability to fill both these key segment leadership roles with internal candidates both demonstrates the depth and breadth of our leadership team and helps to ensure a seamless transition.”
Changes abound at LKQ Corporation
The appointment of Andy Hamilton to lead LKQ Europe comes at a time when a number of changes are being made across the wider LKQ Corporation.
Previously, LKQ Corporation announced that Justin Jude, the Company’s current Senior Vice President and President of its Wholesale – North America segment, has been appointed to serve as LKQ’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from January 1, 2024 until he officially succeeds Dominick Zarcone as President and Chief executive Officer of LKQ on July 1, 2024.
John Meyne, currently the East Division Vice President of LKQ’s Wholesale – North America segment, has now been appointed to serve as Senior Vice President of LKQ and President of Wholesale – North America effective January 1, 2024.
