Jebb McIntosh

Little has been published about Jebb McIntosh's early life. He trained and qualified as a chartered accountant before going into the motor trade in KwaZulu-Natal in the 1970s. Reports of his death in November 2026 gave his age as 80.

In 1976 McIntosh and his business partner Maldwyn Zimmerman opened small Chevrolet and Datsun dealerships in KwaZulu-Natal. More dealerships were added and the businesses were later merged to form Combined Motor Holdings (CMH), which became a listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange with its head office in Umhlanga, north of Durban. McIntosh served on the board from 1976.

He was appointed group chief executive in 1999 and held the post for 27 years. Under his leadership CMH grew into one of South Africa's largest automotive retail groups, with 102 dealerships across the country, and expanded into car rental by acquiring First Car Rental, as well as vehicle distribution and financial services.

In recent years he led the group's pivot towards fast-growing Chinese and Indian vehicle brands, including Suzuki, Foton, Mahindra and Haval. Shortly before his death, CMH had begun changing its senior leadership structure so that Charles Webber, head of motor retail and distribution, would take greater responsibility, though McIntosh remained CEO.

McIntosh was married to Liz McIntosh. They had five children, Donna, Samantha, Sarah-Lynn, Anne and Cathy. He kept a low public profile outside the business and was known in the industry for his hands-on involvement in the company's daily operations.

Jebb McIntosh died on Monday 2 November 2026, aged 80. CMH announced his death in a JSE statement on 3 November. The cause of death was not made public.

Board chairman James Dixon said: "Up until the moment that he passed, Jebb was having a typical day in the office, directing the activities of his beloved CMH. He has left an enduring legacy, and his family can be proud of what he has achieved as a business icon and the longest-serving director of CMH, one of Durban's few successful JSE-listed entities." The board said his knowledge of the motor industry was second to none.

His death was reported by Moneyweb, Business Day, Daily Investor, Sunday World and Billionaires.Africa, with Business Day noting that it left CMH facing an unexpected leadership transition.

McIntosh is remembered as the builder of CMH, taking two small KwaZulu-Natal dealerships and turning them over five decades into a national motor retail, rental and distribution group listed on the JSE. The company described his business acumen, attention to detail and ability to navigate complexity as qualities that would be remembered with deep respect by all who worked alongside him.