Inchcape has announced that Barbara Richmond will be its new group finance director with responsibility for helping to drive the global business and grow shareholder value.

Richmond, 45, will take up the £385,000-a-year post and join the Board as an executive director in April next year. She moves from Croda International, a global speciality chemicals business, where she was group finance director.

“I am delighted to be joining Inchcape. The company has a strong track record and many exciting opportunities for the future,” Richmond says.

“I am looking forward to working with André Lacroix, (group chief executive designate), the Board and all the employees at Inchcape.”

Peter Johnson, present group chief executive, says: “With extensive experience managing the finance departments of UK listed companies and a strong international pedigree, Barbara has an excellent track record. Her financial skills and experience of managing complex global businesses augur well for the continued development of the Group.”

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Richmond is the senior independent director and audit committee chair at Carclo plc and a non-executive director of Scarborough Building Society. She replaces Alan Ferguson, who joined BOC Group in September. Connor McCormack remains Inchcape Retail finance director.