With the current group managing director David Smith set to retire at the end of March 2022, Continental has announced that Tarik Görgün will become MD for the UK and Ireland effective March 1, 2022.
Görgün has more than 16 years of experience in the tire sector, having started his career at Continental within the R&D department in Hannover, Germany. Moving forward, he held several managerial positions within the company’s consumer and commercial vehicle tire areas before working in commercial positions in Continental’s original equipment sector.
Görgün is currently the head of OE tires Japan and global key account manager for Honda and Subaru, a position he has held for the past four years, directing commercial activities in the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions.
David Smith joined the Continental Tyre Group as finance director in 2003 and went on to become the company’s managing director in 2007. During his time in the position, Smith worked on the integration of Bandvulc and R&J Strang into the business and supported the reintroduction of the company’s agricultural tires into the market.
“Continental is a fantastic company, and it has been a privilege to lead the UK and Irish business over the last 15 years,” said David Smith. “I have been humbled by the talent and commitment of our people, and their passion for creating a truly customer-driven company.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Tarik on his new appointment and look forward to working with him on his transition to the role. Tarik inherits an exceptional team and I have every confidence that, with his leadership, Continental Tyre Group is well positioned to continue to prosper long into the future.”
“It is a huge honor to be appointed managing director for Continental Tyre Group,” commented Görgün. “I’m eager to build on David’s success and lead the team into an exciting new chapter of the business. Meeting with our valued customers and working closely with our expert teams in the UK and Ireland are what I look forward to the most as I start my new position. I’d like to extend my gratitude to David for his remarkable leadership and wish him a long and happy retirement.”
