Benfield Motor Group has announced that Mark Squires has resumed the role of chief executive to replace Nigel McMinn who is joining Lookers.

McMinn becomes Lookers' managing director of its motor division of franchised dealerships and used car supermarkets from August 19.

He will report in to Andy Bruce, Lookers chief operating officer, who is set to become its new CEO in 2014 when Peter Jones will retire from the role.

Following his brief spell as executive chairman, Squires (pictured) has now assumed the day-to-day running and control of the £500m turnover family-run Benfield.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be back at the helm of our family business, whilst naturally disappointed that Nigel has decided to move on to pastures new.

“We have built a very strong executive board and senior management leadership team in recent times and I am both excited and proud to be leading the company’s management team once more.

“We also have an exciting capital investment programme going on at the moment, and I am very much looking forward to developing and growing our family business long into the future.”

In January of this year, Benfield appointed Gerard Murray as finance director, which followed the appointment of Neville Gaukroger as strategic development director.

Benfield Motor Group employs over 1,500 members of staff across 34 dealerships in the North East of England, Yorkshire, Cumbria and South West Scotland.

The company was founded in Newcastle by John Squires Snr in 1957 and developed by John Squires Jnr, the present chairman.