Gethyn Davies RIP
The death has been announced of Gethyn Davies, the former market director for PPG Refinish UK & Ireland, who sadly passed away yesterday (31st July) at the age of 56.
Gethyn started at PPG in 2005 as head of major accounts, before being promoted to national sales manager in 2007. In 2008, PPG acquired Brown Brothers from Unipart and appointed Gethyn as managing director.
The next year, PPG also appointed Gethyn as UK & Ireland market director giving him responsibility for its refinish sales and marketing teams as well as technical and customer service.
In January 2017 he left PPG to start up his own business, Velocity Motor Solutions, before joining Audatex UK in June 2018 as head of bodyshop commercial development. Two years later he joined Hastings as head of repair and networks.
The lure of the bodyshop industry proved too great and in April 2023 he joined Richard Tutt as executive director of Ryemarc, the parent company of Motofix.
Gethyn was a well-liked and respected figure in the Irish bodyshop and vehicle repair industry, and over the years accepted several awards on behalf of both PPG and Audatex.
In a LinkedIn post, PPG Automotive Refinish Coatings said: “Gethyn’s successes at PPG will always be remembered but will always be outshone by his friendly manner and outstanding personability to all that he met.
“Gethyn would always go out of his way to spend time to speak to all members of staff, making everyone feel welcomed and valued, for Gethyn began his career as an apprentice in a Brown Brothers branch and understood full heartedly that ‘it takes a village’ to make a business a success.
“Gethyn leaves behind a legacy that will be rarely matched, we will remember the many good times, laughs, drinks and accomplishments. Rest in peace Gethyn, thank you for your leadership and friendship.”