Kia has given new roles to Yaser Shabsogh (pictured left) and Simon Hetherington (pictured below) following a senior management restructure.

Shabsogh, currently sales director, becomes commercial director with immediate effect and will be responsible for the quantitative growth of the company.

Hetherington, currently dealer development director becomes business development director responsible for qualitative growth.

Kia has confirmed it is no longer looking for a new MD to replace Michael Cole. Instead the restructure will cover his functions with Paul Philpott, Kia UK president and CEO heading the UK strategically and operationally.

Philpott said: “Following Michael Cole's move to Kia Motors Europe it was clear to me that we had an opportunity to change the structure of the organisation to best support our ambitions for the future.

“These two roles will report directly to me and will permit a stronger focus on our dedication to increasing the Kia brand's strength in the UK.

"Over the coming years we must seek to continue to grow our annual vehicle sales and parts turnover but also enhance the quality and planning of our business and its processes in many areas.”

Hetherington and Shabsogh both joined Kia in 2007 - Hetherington from Toyota and Shabsogh from Ford.

Shabsogh's new role will include responsibility for all sales, aftersales, marketing, fleet and supply chain activities.

Hetherington's responsibilities will encompass long-term strategy planning, business process improvement and network capacity and customer experience.