Collision repairer AMA Group has appointed Kim Stewart-Smith as a director in a “first step in board renewal” and says it’s making progress on selecting a new CEO to replace outgoing executive Carl Bizon.

The company said in September that Caroline Waldron had become chairman, taking over from Anthony Day following his retirement, Mr Bizon would leave the CEO role at the annual general meeting on November 23 and Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) Chairman and director Paul Ruiz had retired.

“As the first step in board renewal, we are pleased to welcome Kim to the AMA Group board and in particular to take on the role of ARC Chair.,” Ms Waldron said today. “Kim’s deep professional services and CFO experience will be invaluable to the group.”

The company says the next step in building a fit for purpose board is to identify and appoint a non-executive director with relevant industry experience, or transferable industry experience, and executive recruitment firm Spencer Stuart had been appointed to conduct the search.

AMA says the CEO recruitment process is progressing as planned and interviews with short-listed candidates have started, while debt refinancing preparations are well advanced and it will formally launch that process late this month.

“We believe that the group has a solid future ahead of it. We continue to engage with our stakeholders with openness and transparency, while remaining focused on delivering for AMA Group,” Ms Waldron said.

Ms Stewart-Smith’s board appointment is effective December 1. Currently she is a director and Audit and Risk Committee Chair for ASX-listed Dicker Data and WTFN Entertainment & Media. She is also the founder and MD of Stewart & Smith Advisory, a business advisory, corporate services and chartered accounting firm.