International advisory firm Interpath has appointed Owen Edwards as Director and Co-Head of Automotive in the UK, as the sector faces unprecedented transformation driven by electrification, software innovation and global market shifts.
Owen brings over 20 years of experience in the automotive downstream market, having worked with some of the largest global and UK automotive operators. At Interpath, Owen will co-lead the firm’s Automotive practice, alongside manufacturing and supply chain specialist Lee Swinerd, and will focus on supporting clients in automotive battery technology, automotive retail and consumer-facing services. The practice supports clients across all service lines, including deal advisory, value creation, forensic and restructuring and the hire will expand Interpath’s coverage across the whole automotive eco-system.
Owen joins Interpath after five years as UK Head of Automotive at Grant Thornton, where he advised companies across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Previously, Owen worked on M&A transactions within Grant Thornton’s Financial Services team in Corporate Finance. Earlier in his career, Owen advised Marshall Motor Holdings on its flotation on the London Stock Exchange and delivered capital expenditure programmes and strategic alliances with several OEMs.
Owen also spent seven years at Inchcape Plc, the world’s largest independent motor retailer and distributor, where, as Business Development Director, he led acquisitions, introduced new brands into emerging markets and restructured underperforming operations globally.
Commenting on his appointment, Owen Edwards, Co-Head of Automotive at Interpath in the UK, said: “The automotive industry will undergo more transformation in the next five years than it has in the past fifteen. From the rise of EVs and battery technology to the rapid growth of Chinese brands, software-defined vehicles and cyber security challenges, the sector faces both disruption and opportunity. Not only is there significant bearing on suppliers and manufacturers, but there is also a profound impact on downstream services from fleet providers and asset finance to consumers. The specialist sector team at Interpath is building something really special – a truly cross-service offering that can help guide leaders in the industry – at any point of the value chain - towards resilience and growth.”
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Lee Swinerd, Co-Head of Automotive at Interpath in the UK, added: “Owen brings deep, hands-on experience of the downstream automotive market – an area that has not been immune to the incredible change sparked by the EV revolution. His skills and experience complement our existing capabilities and expand the breadth of our offering across the whole automotive eco-system. There are few dedicated advisory teams in the market that can offer such an extensive coverage of the industry – from concept to production and through to handing over the keys. Owen’s arrival underscores our ability to offer unparalleled senior counsel to clients as they adapt to a fast-changing landscape.”
