Inchcape Philippines, a key player in the country’s automotive distribution industry, has announced strategic leadership changes as it builds on a successful first year of operations. The announcement comes shortly after the company celebrated its first anniversary in the Philippines, following a period of robust business growth and development.
In August 2023, Inchcape Plc, a leading global automotive distributor, officially entered the Philippine market through a joint venture with CATS Group of Companies, the country’s premier distributor of luxury vehicles. Since its establishment, Inchcape Philippines has made significant strides in the market, including securing a distribution agreement with Changan International Corporation for Changan vehicles. The company has also spearheaded the digitalization of its operations, launched new facilities and showrooms, and expanded its aftersales services to connect world-class automobile brands with Filipino consumers.
One of the highlights of Inchcape Philippines’ first year is the planned opening of state-of-the-art facilities in Pasig later this year, which will include a Parts Distribution Center and a training academy. These developments reflect the company’s commitment to innovation and customer service, a commitment rooted in its #OneInchcape culture. This culture emphasizes teamwork, fresh thinking, and a people-centric approach, encompassing partners, customers, and colleagues alike. It is this dedication that led to Inchcape Philippines being certified by Great Place To Work® (GPTW), marking it as the first GPTW-certified Inchcape company in the South Asia & Pacific region.
As Inchcape Philippines looks to further cement its position in the rapidly growing Philippine market, it has implemented strategic leadership changes to drive future growth. Effective August 9, 2024, Alex Hammett, previously Head of Inchcape Philippines, will transition to a broader regional role as Managing Director for South Asia & Pacific. This region includes key growth markets such as the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Guam, Saipan, and Micronesia. Hammett, who will continue to be based in the Philippines, will focus on driving growth across these territories.
Concurrently, Frankie Ang, the Chief Operating Officer of Inchcape Philippines, will be stepping down from his operational role by the end of the year. Ang, who has been with CATS for 12 years, played a crucial role in managing operations, business development, and government relations. His leadership was pivotal during the transition to Inchcape Philippines, ensuring continuity and growth. With the company on a solid path, Ang plans to pursue other business interests, though he will remain involved as a Board Member of Inchcape Philippines.
Taking over the leadership of Inchcape Philippines as the new Country Head is Alex Yap, who also assumed his role on August 9, 2024. Yap brings over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry to his new position. He joined Inchcape in 2017 as the Sales & Distribution Director for Inchcape Singapore, where he led the digital transformation of retail sales. More recently, he served as Managing Director of Inchcape Guam & Saipan (also known as Atkins Kroll) from 2022 to 2024, where he enhanced business operations through digitalization and fostered a customer-centric culture.
In his new role, Yap will oversee the distribution, retail, and service excellence of several prestigious automotive brands in the Philippines, including Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Jaguar, Land Rover, Changan Auto, Mazda, Harley-Davidson, and Daimler Commercial Vehicles.
Reflecting on these changes, Frankie Ang remarked, “Inchcape Philippines was born from the ambition to be the undisputed distribution partner for mobility companies in the country. The progress we made in one year is astounding and is a true testament to our people who work to drive better operational performance and deliver exceptional customer experiences. As Inchcape Philippines ushers in a new era for mobility, I will be working closely with Alex Yap, our new Country Head, to ensure seamless continuity and further business success.”
Yap himself expressed excitement about the future, saying, “As the automotive industry continues to undergo rapid change, the Philippines presents an exciting opportunity to leverage our digital capabilities to further grow our distribution business with our mobility partners. I thank Alex and Frankie for their trust in me to lead the Inchcape Philippines team in powering great experiences for our customers and delivering value for all our stakeholders.”
Hammett also shared his thoughts on the transition, stating, “The Philippines is a key territory in driving forward with our Accelerate strategy. This strategic leadership succession is a sign of our commitment to build on the momentum and accomplishments achieved since we officially entered the market last year. I thank Frankie for his invaluable contributions to the establishment of Inchcape Philippines and positioning it for its future, and I am confident in Alex Yap to lead the business in my stead. With his long industry track record and vast experience in utilizing technology to propel businesses, I look forward to seeing Alex drive Inchcape Philippines further forward in powering mobility across the country.”
These leadership changes underscore Inchcape Philippines’ commitment to sustaining its growth and enhancing its market presence in the country. With a strong foundation and a clear vision for the future, the company is poised to continue its success in the Philippine automotive industry.
