Suzuki GB has announced that Dale Wyatt, Director of Automobile, will be stepping down after 17 years of remarkable service. Wyatt, a key figure in Suzuki’s UK and Republic of Ireland operations, will retire in March 2025 to focus on his health, well-being, and personal passions, while also exploring future advisory roles within the automotive industry.
Takanori Suzuki, Managing Director of Suzuki GB PLC, praised Wyatt’s contributions to the company: “Dale Wyatt has been hugely instrumental in leading our brand’s progress and success in the UK and Republic of Ireland. To say he has made an outstanding contribution is a major understatement. From next March, Dale will be very much missed by our employees, dealer network, customers, as well as the automotive media.”
Wyatt’s role as Director of Automobile will be taken over by David Kateley, a long-serving member of the Suzuki team, beginning in January 2025. Kateley, who has been with the brand for over two decades, currently leads the Automobile Sales Operations division and has worked closely with Wyatt since 2014.
A Legacy of Leadership and Growth
Dale Wyatt has been a transformative leader for Suzuki, driving commercial success while fostering a people-first company culture. Reflecting on his time with Suzuki, Wyatt said, “I am extremely proud of the Suzuki UK and Ireland automobile business that I have had the privilege of leading. As a united team, we have consistently delivered on our commercial goals while remaining a human-first company that serves the needs of its employees, dealers, and customers.”
His successor, David Kateley, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Since joining Suzuki in 2003, Kateley has held various positions, from business development with Suzuki Financial Services to Regional Sales Manager for the South of England. Promoted to General Manager in 2014, Kateley’s responsibilities have expanded significantly over the past decade, providing him with a broad understanding of Suzuki’s Automobile Division.
Wyatt expressed full confidence in Kateley’s leadership: “I have worked alongside David for over a decade, and it has been a pleasure to see him grow and develop into the effective leader that he has become. I have no doubt that the Automobile division is in safe hands with David.”
Looking Ahead
While Dale Wyatt plans to focus more on personal goals post-retirement, he remains passionate about the automotive industry. “Whilst I intend to be a tad less busy, I do have some big personal and professional goals, and as part of that, I fully intend to ensure that I spend some of my time working and advising in the industry that I love,” Wyatt shared.
Suzuki is set to enter a new chapter with David Kateley at the helm, but the legacy of Dale Wyatt’s leadership will continue to influence the company’s future success.
