Sytner boss Darren Edwards announces retirement after an illustrious 40-year career – Car Dealer Magazine

Sytner boss Darren Edwards will pull back the curtain on his illustrious career in the automotive industry after announcing his retirement at the end of the year.

Edwards, who has worked in the automotive industry for more than four decades, is to leave his position with the top 100 car dealers on January 1.

He will be replaced by American John Cragg, who joins from Sytner’s parent company, Penske Automotive Group, where he is executive vice president of operations in the eastern United States.

Confirming his retirement, Edwards said: “Over the past 40 years, I have had the privilege of being part of this incredible and diverse industry.

“I started my career as an apprentice in 1984 and retired in 2024 as CEO of one of the UK’s most admired dealer groups. My career has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I will be forever grateful to Roger, the teams at Penske and Sytner, and the many individuals who have supported me over the years.

“With John as CEO, I know the group has an extremely bright future. Looking to the future, I am excited to spend quality time with my wife Nicky, our daughters Charlotte and Ella, and our growing family.

During Edwards’s time at the helm, Sytner became a powerhouse in the British motoring trade, coming second only to Arnold Clark in our latest report Top 100 car dealers list.

This group has a chocolate box full of brands that most dealers would envy. In the world of top-class luxury, it represents Ferrari, McLaren, Bentley, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Maserati, Rolls Royce and Porsche.

Sytner is also Audi’s largest partner in the UK and represents Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Mercedes, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen, among others.

Edwards participated in an exclusive video interview with the 2021 car dealer, which you can watch below Here.

Paying tribute to his outgoing boss, Roger Penske, chairman and CEO of PAG, said: “Darren’s leadership and operational contributions have led to significant growth in our UK business.

“Under his leadership, Sytner has become synonymous with excellence in the marketplace, among our OEM partners and among our 10,600 team members.

“Over the last ten years, our revenue has doubled and our team has grown by almost 4,000 people.

“Most importantly, Darren always put the team first, which has earned him numerous industry awards, including the Sunday Times Best Company to Work for.

“Darren will be greatly missed at Sytner and the Penske organization. We wish him and his wife Nicky a joyful next chapter in their lives.”

The new Cragg will move across the Atlantic to succeed Edwards as CEO, having started his career in the automotive industry as a sales director in 1994.

Penske added: “I am pleased to announce that John Cragg will move to the UK as CEO of Sytner Group.

“John’s significant roots at Sytner include eighteen years of increasingly prominent positions, starting as sales director in 1994 and achieving success in each subsequent position he has held, including managing director of the Audi division.

“In 2012, John was named PAG’s Executive Vice President of Eastern Operations, and his leadership and outstanding interpersonal skills have been recognized as models of excellence both internally and externally.

“John will relocate to the UK in early October and will work with Darren during the transition period, commencing his new role on January 1, 2025.”