2:45 pm, September 18, 2017
CEO of SsangYong UK Paul Williams has resigned from his position today after six years with the brand.
A letter to dealers from Kevin Jones, CEO of parent company Bassadone Automotive Group, was leaked to Car Dealer Magazine explaining that Williams had stepped down and it was taking steps to find a replacement.
The letter also revealed that Jim Tyrell, CEO of Mitsubishi UK Ltd for nine years, had been appointed non-executive chairman of SsangYong UK from October 1.
Jones wrote in the letter: ‘The directors of Bassadone Automotive Group wish to thank Paul for his contribution to the sales growth of SYUK since 2011 and wish him every success in his new ventures.
‘Bassadone Automotive Group remains committed to the success of SYUK and will immediately be taking steps to find a replacement CEO.
‘With the launch of the all-new Rexton in October and new Musso pick-up next year, we are confident that SsangYong sales in the UK will take a further positive upturn during the next 12 months, and that our dealer representation will grow even further.’
Williams previously worked at Kia UK as managing director between 2002 and 2006. He was replaced by Paul Philpott, who went on to take the Korean brand to the heady heights it enjoys now.
From 2007 to 2011, he was the MD at Koelliker UK, which imported SsangYong vehicles.
Previously Williams was director of sales and marketing for Mitsubishi Motors UK, between 1999 and 2002, and before that was managing director of Daihatsu UK from 1995 to 1999.
Car Dealer Magazine tried to contact Williams for comment, but he was unavailable.
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