Duncan crowned new king of Camelot

former Channel 4 boss Andy Duncan has quit the motor trade just a year after his surprise move to run luxury car dealer HR Owen.

He will take over next month as UK managing director at Camelot, meaning he will have responsibility for the National Lottery and its 700 staff.

Mr Duncan joined Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealer HR Owen last October in a shock switch away from television, where he was head of Channel 4 for five years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

HR Owen hailed his appointment last year as a “real coup” given his track record in general management, marketing and sales.

His departure was announced yesterday alongside a warning from the company that market conditions have deteriorated due to turmoil in financial markets.

However, HR Owen said trading overall was on track and that it still expects to meet market expectations this year.

The group, which sells top of the range marques through 13 dealerships, recently launched a new strategy for growth based around its position in the luxury market and focused on strengthening the HR Owen brand.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chairman Jon Walden said the strategy would be maintained by new chief executive Joe Doyle, who is taking over immediately and has a background in the industry with vehicle data firm HPI and accident claims software group Audatex.

“We continue to enjoy a strong balance sheet with positive cash balances ahead of budget,” Mr Walden added yesterday.

Mr Doyle said: “I am looking forward to leading the company through the next phase of its development as we begin to execute our strategy for growth.”

Mr Duncan said he was “very excited” about joining Camelot and “the challenge of further developing such a successful portfolio of brands, such as Lotto and EuroMillions”.