Kia Motors (UK) has announced John Hargreaves as head of fleet and remarketing with the major task of building Kia's future fleet business to new levels.

The company is aiming for a long term annual sales volume in excess of 100,000 units a year.

Hargreaves joins Kia from Motability Operations where he was manufacturer account manager but brings with him experience from a variety of roles with Citroen UK, latterly as national fleet sales manager between 2005 and 2009.

He will take up his new role at Kia from February 8 and will be responsible for developing the strategy, processes and systems behind the company's UK fleet sales ambitions and used car operations - including the approved used scheme.

Yaser Shabsogh, Kia's sales director said: "We are delighted to have someone with John's experience joining us at what is a vital and exciting time.

“Our fleet share has, in recent years, run well behind our retail share - 1.7% in 2010 compared to more than 4% - but as part of our future strategy we want to see fleet sales accounting for 40% or more of our business.

"If we are to achieve our longer-term goals then that kind of split will be essential but I am sure that John is the man to put in place the plans to deliver that kind of performance.”