Duncan McPhee appointed Athenea CEO

Duncan McPhee has been confirmed as the new chief executive of Athenea, joining on 16 November 2026. His appointment supports the group’s effort to merge Brayleys Cars and Johnsons Cars under a single brand, a move that could shape dealer strategy across the UK.

Key takeaways

• Duncan McPhee becomes Athenea CEO on 16 November 2026.
• He left the loss‑making Hendy Group to take the role.
• Athenea is integrating Brayleys and Johnsons into one business.
• McPhee brings 16 years of Lookers experience to the role.

Duncan McPhee’s new role at Athenea

McPhee will assume the chief executive position at Athenea on 16 November 2026. The announcement follows Car Dealer Magazine’s earlier report that he had quit his chief operating officer post at Hendy Group.

The board believes his background in large‑scale automotive retail and manufacturer partnerships makes him well suited to lead the next phase of growth.

Background and experience

Before joining Hendy, McPhee spent almost sixteen years at Lookers, holding several operational and franchise leadership positions. He was promoted to chief operating officer in 2021.

His track record includes delivering operational excellence and building strong OEM relationships, assets that Athenea hopes to leverage during its integration.

Athenea’s integration of Brayleys and Johnsons

The group launched the Athenea brand earlier in 2026, aiming to combine Brayleys Cars and Johnsons Cars into a single operating entity. The merger seeks to create economies of scale and a unified customer experience.

Amro Jayousi, speaking for the board, highlighted the strategic goal of sustainable growth through this consolidation.

Strategic outlook

McPhee said Athenea has built significant momentum and possesses a compelling vision for the future. He cited strong OEM partnerships, ambitious growth plans and a commitment to colleagues and customers as key strengths.

He expects to strengthen existing brands, attract new franchise partners and deliver a consistently outstanding customer experience.

What this means for dealers

The leadership change provides dealers with a clear point of contact for strategic initiatives across the merged entities. McPhee’s experience in operational integration may accelerate the realignment of processes, inventory management and after‑sales services, potentially improving profitability for dealer networks.

Dealers can also anticipate a reinforced focus on manufacturer relationships, which may translate into better vehicle allocations, promotional support and training programmes under the unified Athenea brand.

Frequently asked questions

When does Duncan McPhee start as Athenea CEO?

Duncan McPhee will officially begin his role as chief executive of Athenea on 16 November 2026, following his departure from the Hendy Group earlier in the year.

What experience does McPhee bring to the position?

McPhee brings nearly sixteen years at Lookers, where he held multiple operational and franchise leadership roles before becoming chief operating officer in 2021, as well as recent experience as COO of the loss‑making Hendy Group.

How will the merger of Brayleys and Johnsons affect dealers?

The merger aims to create a single, more efficient operating business. Dealers can expect streamlined processes, stronger OEM partnerships and potentially better vehicle allocations as the combined group pursues a unified growth strategy.