Smith steps down from AHG board

7-Eleven deputy chairman Michael Smith is stepping down from the Automotive Holdings Group board.

A spokesman for the group said his decision came before the widely-publicised scandal over underpaid workers at possibly two-thirds of the franchised convenience stores.

The case has sparked an inquiry by former ACCC boss Alan Fels.

Smith – who stepped aside as chairman of the Australian Institute of company directors, has been deputy chairman at Automotive Holdings since 2011.

Chairman of the car and truck dealership’s board, David Griffiths, noted Smith’s contribution to the group’s audit and risk management committees.