Bill Lay leaves General Motors

General Motors East Africa managing director Bill Lay has left the company with reports that he is going to CMC Motors.

The company has appointed Ms Rita Kavashe as managing director of its East Africa operations and chairman of GM East Africa, reporting to GM Sub-Saharan president and managing director, Edgar Lourencon.

In a statement released on Friday, the company said Mr Lay had decided to retire after 36 years with General Motors, although other sources said he had resigned and would probably join another motor vehicle assembler in the country.

Mr Lay headed GM East Africa operations for 10 years.

Ms Kavashe has worked at GM East Africa for 15 years.

“The timing of Ms Kavashe’s appointment is ideal, considering her previous experience and the fact that she has spent the past six months based at the company’s Sub-Saharan Africa headquarters in South Africa, tasked with establishing an exports function for the region,” Mr Lourencon said.

“Ms Kavashe’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to developing and appoint local talent into key positions.”

Mr Lourencon said the company appreciated Mr Lay’s contribution to GM and for his work on the continent.

He added that Mr Lay had tremendous knowledge of the region and was a key contributor in enabling GM to grow its business in East Africa.