Collision repairer AMA Group says CEO Mathew Cooper has departed after holding the top role for 16 months.

Ray Smith-Roberts, who previously held leadership positions in the group and rejoined the board as a non-executive director in March last year, was today named MD.

AMA says it has transformed its balance sheet over the past nine months and has hit several milestones.

“The next stage of AMA’s turnaround is to focus on further improving the performance of its operations, specifically the AMA Collision business,” it said today.

“Accordingly, AMA has appointed Ray Smith-Roberts, who has deep operational experience, to oversee this next phase of the development of the company.”

Mr Cooper joined AMA Group as COO in September 2021 and became CEO in December 2023.

The board has also undergone major change in the past year and since last June has been chaired by Brian Austin.

Mr Smith-Roberts has 37 years’ motor industry experience, including running AMA’s accessories and panel operations. He was an executive director at the company from 2011 to 2019.

“He has a proven track record for extracting efficiency and performance improvements from businesses in this sector, including panel repair,” AMA Group said.

“The board is pleased to enter this phase of operational improvement and wishes to thank Mr Cooper for his contribution as CEO over the past 16 months.”

AMA has said its business model relies on relationships with key insurance customers for vehicle repair volumes and commercial terms including repair pricing and preferred repairer status.  

The company yesterday said it has finalised pricing adjustments with Suncorp for this fiscal year under a long-term arrangement that allows annual changes for inflation and repair severity. It said the companies have reaffirmed their commitment to working together.

AMA reported a first-half net loss of $4.3 million, compared with a loss of $10 million in the previous corresponding period. Normalised earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation from continuing operations improved 17.2% to $25.7 million.