Kelston Motor Group appoints new Managing Director, Executive Chairman
The Kelston Motor Group is proud to announce the appointment of Peter McNaughton in the position of Managing Director of the group. Peter takes over the reins from his father Mike McNaughton, who has been appointed as the Executive Chairman of the group going forward.
Mike McNaughton started the Kelston Motor Group in 1996, with the purchase of the then Kelly Volkswagen in Kariega. The group had humble beginnings, with Mike having run Algoa Fasfit before venturing into the motor retail sector in the 1980s, and then acquiring the outlet which became Market Square Volkswagen, and subsequently Kelston Volkswagen Kariega. The group has grown to over 16 outlets, with nearly 20 franchise brands, 3 tyre fitment centres, a body repair outlet, and a logistics business – and it continues to grow.
Mike has had an illustrious career in the automotive industry and has been awarded several accolades including the Diamond Pin award from Volkswagen in Germany and a lifetime achievement award in 2023, from VWSA. Another standout in his career was being awarded the Alumnus of the Year by the NMMU Business School in 2011, some years after completing his MBA in the early 2000s.
Mike credits the success of the organization, not only to the team at Kelston, but also to the loving support of his wife Lyn and their family, and tremendous support from his peers in motivating him to drive his vision.
‘In business employing people who are better than you in the roles that they perform is key to driving your business forward; coupled with this is the use of technology to scale your organization and the ability to communicate better with your customers and stakeholders as a result’, he said.
Mike added, ‘Creating a sense of family for our staff and customers has also played a key role in how our company operates – customers and staff alike want to feel as though they belong. I also like to believe that we as directors are approachable and can empathise with staff issues – and this makes them feel safe in their working environment, which in turn creates a better experience for the customer.’ ‘I am sincerely grateful to all of Kelston’s stakeholders over the years for the opportunities they have afforded the Kelston team and I to grow the Kelston dream to what it is today,’ he said.
Mike is excited at the prospect of his son taking over the reins as the Managing Director as he has grown up in the industry and learnt every aspect of the business in a very hands-on manner. Peter joined the business shortly after finishing his BSc degree at Stellenbosch University, as a parts picker in the group’s flagship branch in Kariega. He moved through and up the ranks – occupying positions within the organization at nearly every touch point – from parts sales to service advisor, to sales consultant, sales manager and dealer principal; before being appointed as the Group’s Operations Director in 2019. Peter gained his MBA from Rhodes University in 2017 and later a Diploma in Advanced Dealer Management from the automotive retail intelligence organization, Sewells.
Peter is enthusiastic about this new role, and his passion for numbers and the industry drives him in his everyday undertakings. ‘It’s a great honour for me to take over the position of MD from my dad, Mike. I have big shoes to fill, so it’s an accolade which I do not take lightly. He has become a stalwart and somewhat of a legend in the automotive industry in South Africa, and I have learnt everything I know about the industry from him. His legacy will continue to influence my decision-making, and that of the senior management team at Kelston. I’m grateful too that he will be taking on the role of executive chairman, and still be on hand daily to impart his wisdom to my team and I.’
Peter is supported in his role by Mike as the Executive Chairman; Sally McNaughton, as Finance Director; Mike Glendinning, as a non-executive director; and a team of senior executives.
