Continental Tyre Group appoints Tarik Görgün MD

David Smith plans to retire as managing director of Continental Tyre Group at the end of March 2022. Continental has announced that his successor will be Tarik Görgün, who is currently head of OE Tyres Japan and global key account manager for Honda and Subaru. Görgün will take over the role of managing director for the UK and Ireland from 1 March 2022.

Having started his career at Continental within the Research & Development department in Hannover, Germany and later holding various managerial positions in the consumer and commercial vehicle tyre areas before progressing into commercial roles in original equipment, Görgün, 42, joins Continental Tyre Group with over 16 years of international experience in the Tyres division. Continental shares that he possesses a “tremendous internal and external network within the industry” and his recent management positions based in Malaysia and Thailand have “deepened his focus on the customer and the commercial dynamics of a market.”

As mentioned, Görgün has been based in Japan as head of OE Tyres Japan and global key account manager for Honda and Subaru for the last four years, directing commercial activities among the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions.

Joining Continental Tyre Group in 2003 as finance director before becoming managing director in 2007, David Smith can look back at almost two decades with Continental. The company reports achieving “significant growth” during his tenure at the head of Continental Tyres Group. Smith’s leadership has been integral in the successful integration of both Bandvulc and R&J Strang into the business, mergers that helped to further strengthen Continental’s commercial fleet offering throughout the UK and Ireland. He has also supported the reintroduction of Continental’s agricultural tyres into the market over the last few years, which is enabling the company to meet their growth ambitions for the sector.

A privilege to lead the business

Speaking on his time at Continental David Smith says: “Continental is a fantastic company, and it has been a privilege to lead the UK and Irish business over the last 15 years. I have been humbled by the talent and commitment of our people, and their passion for creating a truly customer-driven company. I am immensely proud to be part of the 150 years of success Continental has achieved and of the enormous progress we have made over the years.

“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.”

An exciting new chapter

Commenting on his new role, Tarik Görgün states: “It is a huge honour to be appointed managing director for Continental Tyre Group. 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 a 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.”