Interpath appoints Owen Edwards as Co-Head of Automotive

Edwards brings more than 20 years of experience in the automotive downstream market, having advised some of the largest global and UK automotive operators. At Interpath, he will co-lead the Automotive practice alongside manufacturing and supply chain specialist Lee Swinerd. His focus will include automotive battery technology, automotive retail and consumer-facing services.

Interpath’s Automotive practice supports clients across all service lines, including deal advisory, value creation, forensic and restructuring. The appointment further expands the firm’s coverage across the entire automotive ecosystem, from manufacturers and suppliers through to retailers and end consumers.

Edwards 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. Prior to that, he worked on mergers and acquisitions within Grant Thornton’s Financial Services Corporate Finance team.

Earlier in his career, Edwards advised Marshall Motor Holdings on its flotation on the London Stock Exchange and led capital expenditure programmes and strategic alliances with several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). He 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, Edwards said the pace of change in the industry was accelerating. “The automotive industry will undergo more transformation in the next five years than it has in the past fifteen,” he said. “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. There is also a profound impact on downstream services, from fleet providers and asset finance through to consumers.”

He added that Interpath’s cross-service Automotive team was well positioned to support clients across the value chain, helping industry leaders build resilience and drive growth.

Lee Swinerd, Co-Head of Automotive at Interpath in the UK, said Edwards’ arrival would significantly enhance the firm’s capabilities. “Owen brings deep, hands-on experience of the downstream automotive market, an area that has seen incredible change as a result of the EV revolution,” he said. “His skills and experience complement our existing capabilities and expand the breadth of our offering across the whole automotive eco-system. Owen’s arrival underscores our ability to offer unparalleled senior counsel to clients as they adapt to a fast-changing landscape.”