VERTU Motors plc is strengthening its management structure with the creation of a new division within the group.
It will be headed by Tim Tozer, former chairman of Vauxhall Motors in the UK, who has previously held senior roles with Mazda and Mitsubishi and in retail with Inchcape and Autobink in Europe. Tozer will take on the position of group operations director with a place on the group’s main operational board.
The new division will incorporate Vertu’s Hyundai, Fiat Group, Mazda and Peugeot outlets with the potential for further franchises that are new to the group to be added in due course.
The business comprises 25 sales outlets with a broad geography from Scotland to Devon and revenues of around £220m.
The new division will also see a number of promotions from within the group. Rob Keenan becomes sales director and Ian Anderson will be aftersales director. Martin Welch will become finance director.
Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors plc, said: ‘As the group expands, it is one of my primary responsibilities to ensure that we have the right management structure and quality of management. We have to ensure that we have the capacity to continue to grow as a business.
‘The appointment of Tim Tozer to lead this new division is a real statement of intent. Tim has a wealth of experience in the sector and has the leadership skills to add considerable value to the business as it continues to develop.’
Tozer said: ‘I am very excited to be joining Vertu. Retail has always interested me and I am looking forward to be working for such a highly regarded retailer.’
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