The head of the AA’s insurance business is the unnamed man at the centre of the “Jeremy Clarkson” bust-up that led to the sacking of the company’s chairman this week.
The Times can report that Mike Lloyd was the other party involved in an altercation with Bob Mackenzie, 64, who is alleged to have “lashed out” at the 39-year old at an event outside working hours.
The circumstances are disputed, but a week after it happened Mr Mackenzie, who floated the roadside assistance group two years ago, was removed from his position by the board.
The AA gave no reason for his departure other than to say it involved “gross misconduct”. Mr Lloyd is chief executive of the AA’s insurance division and also has responsibility for marketing, digital and public affairs.
Before joining the AA he was a partner at Oliver Wyman, a management consultancy, leading its consumer services work. Mr Lloyd is also registered as the founder of The Wine Listings Ltd, which, according to Companies House, is a retailer of beverages.
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It is not known what the cause of the dispute was between the two men. However, one source alleged that Mr Mackenzie and Mr Lloyd had resolved the issue soon after it had happened “and actually sat down and hhttps://www.thetimes.com/edition/business/meltdown-throws-fresh-spotlight-on-life-in-the-hot-seat-c0gh8r8dg ad another pint, but other people witnessed the event and escalated the situation”.