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‘Leaner’ board as AMA Group restructures

The AMA Group has moved quickly to fill vacancies following the resignation of half of its board last week and a new plan to finish the financial year.

The loss of chairman Caroline Wilson and three other board members followed a 249D notice being served on the company in May by Thorney Investments which holds about six per cent of the company’s shares, demanding a general meeting to vote on the board.

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In a release sent to the Australian Stock Exchange, the AMA  Group has announced Brian Austin has been appointed chair of the board on Wednesday.

It has also abolished the position of deputy chair on the board, adding to what it argues is a leaner more efficient governing body.

The Group will also divest itself of ACM Parts and will list the $47 million business for sale as part of its end of financial year assets.

The aim will be to focus the three collision businesses, Capital Smart, AMA Collision and Wales Heavy Repairs as well as specialist divisions as part of a dedicated repair business with each operating as an individual entity.

Austin has been a non-Executive Director of the board since December 2023 And previously served on the AMA Group board of directors from December 2015 to February 2020.

New board member Jo Dawson has been appointed to the board as an independent non-Executive Director and chair of the audit and risk committee.

Dawson is a chartered accountant and fellow of the Australian Institute of company directors.

“She brings deep experience as a non Executive Director. Her current non executive directorships include Ventura Capital Group, PSC Insurance Group, Vision Super, Bank First and PetSure,” the statement read.

“Her prior roles include senior positions at Deloitte and National Australia Bank and Chair of E L. and C. Baillieu.”

Brian Austin, Ray Smith-Roberts and David Goldstein will also serve on the audit and risk committee.

Ray Smith-Roberts has been appointed chair of the people committee effective immediately.

Smith-Roberts has been a non-executive director of ama group since March 2024. And prior to that, and executive director of the group from February 2014 to November 2019.

Austin, Goldstein and Dawson together with Smith Roberts will form the people committee.

“Our new leaner board structure with reduced fees will be a significant cost for the group, while ensuring we have the appropriate skills on the board,” Austin said in the statement.

“We will also be enhancing our efforts on improving efficiencies within the business. Finally, I welcome Jo to the board and look forward to our invaluable contributions as a highly experienced non-executive director, an audit and risk chair.”

This article originally appeared in the National Collision Repairer

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