Dauch names new CFO, plans realignment as chief of staff steps away

Dauch Corp on Tuesday said it had appointed a new finance chief, as part of a broader leadership "realignment".

Nathan Iles will join the Detroit, Michigan-based producer of driveline products and systems, formerly known as American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, as senior vice president of finance on November 2.

He will take over as chief financial officer on December 1, at which point the current CFO, Christopher May, will move into the role of executive vice president and chief administrative officer.

May will keep responsibilities related to Dauch's information technology organisation and also assume oversight duties for human resources.

Terri Kemp, who has served as senior vice president, chief of staff and HR, will retain the VP and chief of staff titles, before she retires at the end of the year.

The company has not appointed a new chief of staff, but said Kemp will be "shifting her full focus toward achieving corporate initiatives and organizational alignment, alongside the CEO, until her retirement at the end of the year".

All positions will report directly to Chief Executive and Chair David Dauch.

Incoming CFO Iles worked most recently as CFO of automotive industry supplier Standard Motor Products. Before that, he worked as CFO of vehicle replacement parts firm UCI International Holdings, having started his career in auditing at Ernst & Young.

CEO David Dauch commented on Tuesday: "Today's announcement reflects a proactive strategy to further enhance our leadership team and plan for the future.

"Bringing Nathan on initially as senior vice president of finance creates a runway for him to integrate into our business before taking over the CFO role. Transitioning HR to Chris, while maintaining his oversight of IT, leverages his proven operational discipline across two of our most critical internal services departments, allowing Terri to focus entirely on the chief of staff role."

Dauch shares fell 7.1% to 386.28 pence each on Tuesday afternoon in London, where the stock has slumped 38% over the past year.

Its shares were up 0.2% to USD5.40 each during pre-market trade on Tuesday in New York, where the stock is down 0.4% in the last 12 months.

In August, the company reported that net income dove 96% in the second quarter of 2026 to USD1.5 million from USD39.3 million. Dauch attributed this to costs related to its £1.16 billion acquisition of Dowlais, which closed in February. Dowlais had been spun out of Melrose Industries PLC back in 2023.

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