Benfield Motor Group has appointed Gerard Murray as its new group finance director.

Murray will take up the position on January 2 from Immunodiagnostics Systems Holdings where he is currently group finance director.

An economics graduate and chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen, Murray was formerly the youngest finance director of a quoted company, aged 27, having been part of the executive team that floated Reg Vardy.

Mark Squires, Benfield Motor Group chief executive, said: “This is a key appointment which demonstrates our strategic intent and aspiration to deliver our company vision to become one of the best in our industry.”

Squires said the appointment, which follows Neville Gaukroger’s own appointment earlier this year to the new role of strategic development director, consolidates the Benfield executive team.

Benfield Motor Group is an independently owned family business founded in Newcastle in 1957 by John Squires Senior and developed by John Squires Junior the present chairman.

Benfield has 34 retail outlets throughout the North East of England, Yorkshire, Cumbria and South West Scotland across a portfolio 14 car retail brands.