Motor Executive Jebb McIntosh Dies at 80
The former CMH chief who steered the group into a diversified JSE-listed business has died aged 80.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Corporate Finance
Motor industry executive Jebb McIntosh has died at the age of 80. McIntosh served on the CMH board from 1976 and led the group through decades of expansion.
Why it matters
McIntosh led the transformation of CMH from a collection of dealerships into a diversified JSE-listed business, shifting its brand focus toward fast-growing Chinese and Indian vehicle brands. His death marks the end of a long leadership era at the group.
CMH reported revenue of R15.7-billion for the year to February 2026, up 18.6%, with operating profit of R748.6-million, up 17.1%. The extraction does not indicate how these results were affected by McIntosh's death.
The players
Jebb McIntosh
A long-serving South African motor industry executive who led CMH through decades of growth and diversification.
CMH
A JSE-listed South African motor group that operates dealerships, vehicle importers and a car rental business.
The details
CMH operates 38 dealerships representing 31 brands across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, and imports and distributes Foton and Proton. The group also runs Mandarin Parts Distributors and a car rental business with more than 7,500 vehicles through 53 branches.
Timeline
1976: McIntosh joins the CMH board.
February 2026: CMH's financial year closes with reported results.
3 November 2026: McIntosh's death is reported.
Market Landscape
CMH's shift toward fast-growing Chinese and Indian vehicle brands, including Foton and Proton, reflects a broader repositioning of South African motor retailers away from legacy brand portfolios. McIntosh's tenure spanned the group's move from a collection of dealerships into a diversified JSE-listed business.
CMH's headline earnings per share rose 33% to 536.4 cents for the year to February 2026, a figure shareholders can weigh when assessing the group's performance. The group ended the year with cash resources of R1.15-billion.
The takeaway
Long-serving leaders can shape a company's direction for decades, and CMH's record of growth under McIntosh offers a reference point for investors tracking its next phase. Readers should watch how the group's financial results and brand strategy develop after his death.
Further reading
Explore more South Africa Corporate Finance coverage for context on how JSE-listed groups like CMH are managed and reported.
