Steve McCann: CEO & Executive Coach

After 10 years as a technician, Steve started his management career with ArvinMeritor Inc, a global manufacturer of emissions, filtration and ride control products. Starting within the Marketing and Product Management functions, Steve developed his career by integrating a number of disparate European businesses and product lines. A particular achievement at this point was to introduce the first electronic catalogue to support product sales into the aftermarket.

Steve then moved into the sales function with his first role as key account manager for Kwik-Fit and Unipart. A six months ‘implant’ opportunity with Kwik-Fit gave great insights into this key customer which helped develop the business into being the majority supplier to Kwik-Fit. 

Within the sales function Steve was promoted to the UK Sales Director position and at this point began working with the individual companies that formed the Parts Alliance, developing strong enduring relationships with its members.

A period of time as European Sales Director helped Steve understand the European aftermarket, its complexities and cultural differences.

During his time with ArvinMeritor Steve studied and completed his MBA which also allowed him the opportunity to broaden his career, especially in the area of people development and training. He spent a period as the Group Director of HR and CI (Continuous Improvement) responsible for the development of the ATQPS (Arvin Total Quality Production System) across the European workforce of over 3000 employees.

ArvinMeritor announced the divestiture of the European aftermarket business in 2004 and Steve returned to the UK as Managing Director to lead the business during this transition period. The business was divested in August 2007 

After 13 years within manufacturing and previous experience in the repair and retail sector, Steve decided that a period in automotive distribution would complete his end to end experience of the Industry; therefore Steve joined privately-owned CES (UK) in October 2007.

Initially joining as the Trading Director, Steve helped guide the business to transition from a majority Emissions specialist business to a full range, technical distributor. This was essential in a market of growing range and complexity with declining emissions volumes. Additionally the business was growing and of a scale that more robust and structured systems and processes needed to be implemented.

Steve was promoted to Managing Director in 2010 and worked with the joint owners during the sales process to HG Capital which was completed in 2012.  

Post sale Steve joined the Parts Alliance Senior Operating Board and was initially responsible for the ‘Western’ Alliance, bringing together the CES, GMF and Parts Alliance (former Unipart) brands. During this time Steve also supported the Group’s integration and development by taking responsibility for the Commercial functions of Marketing, Category and Pricing.

As the business structure was brought together Steve assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer in November 2015, taking responsibility for the trading performance and assimilation of the CES, GMF, PA, BMF, Allparts, SCMF and CPA brands. 

The Parts Alliance was sold to Uni-Select of Canada in August 2017, completing HG Capital’s tenure and achieving the objectives of building the UK’s second largest parts distribution organisation. 

During the 10 years Steve has worked within the business it has grown from c£40m turnover to c£300m in revenues which is a testament to all the hard work, effort and commitment put in by all members of the PA Team over that period.

To succeed in a rapidly changing and complex business environment Steve has developed a blended, contextual style of director, coach and mentor, believing in the fundamental truth that the potential of the individual and team is far greater than the sum of its parts. Agreeing clear objectives, supporting to remove obstacles and interference, holding to account and ensuring delivery has always been his route to success.

Steve is now ready for the next step in his exciting career and is currently transitioning from direct operational responsibility to pursue his passion for executive coaching and mentoring. Having worked with a number of coaches over the last 5 years, Steve has experienced first-hand how a great coach can unlock potential and truly support both the individual and the wider business to achieve even more than they thought possible.

Steve resigned in September 2018 from The Parts Alliance to pursue the dual ambitions of setting up his own business and using his business knowledge, skills and experience in support of others.

‘I am Impact’ is the realisation of this ambition and the next step on his exciting journey.