Zak Brown Appointed By McLaren Group

Zak Brown has been announced as executive director of the McLaren Group, in an appointment that follows the confirmation that long-serving Ron Dennis will leave the team after 35 years when his contract expires in January. 

Brown will start his role in December with the Formula One team, with Dennis, the founder, chief executive and chairman of the company being placed on gardening leave.

Brown previously founded Just Marketing International (JMI), which has secured a number of sponsorships for the McLaren, before becoming group chief business development office at CSM Sport & Entertainment, which acquired JMI in 2013. He stepped down from this position in September this year.

Brown was also linked with the chief executive role at Formula One Management after Liberty’s takeover, but reports suggested he rejected the position.

In a statement, Brown said: “I’m immensely proud to be joining McLaren Technology Group. I have the utmost respect and admiration for what the business has achieved to date, and I look forward to contributing to the next important phase in its development.

“Having worked closely with McLaren for many years, I’ve been struck by the talent and ambition of the entire workforce, and I very much look forward to complementing the business’ many existing strengths, and building on them to drive future success.”