Car dealer group Caffyns has appointed chartered accountant Nigel Gourlay as a non-executive director.

Gourlay will also chair the board's audit committee and will be a member of its remuneration and nominations committees.

Andrew Goodburn will retire from the board with effect from October 25.

Gourlay spent more than 20 years with the BAT plc group of companies, leaving in 2001.

In 2003 Gourlay co-founded Animos LLP, a business consultancy of which he remains a partner, and has since advised and been a director of a number of private and public companies in several countries.

He is currently a director of Toronto Venture Exchange quoted Feronia Inc, a director of Springboard Associates Ltd, chair of the protector committee of Jersey Trusts, and chair of governors of Beacon College Academy Trust. He has experience of the motor retail sector through involvement with the Jersey Trusts.

Richard Wright, Caffyns' chairman, said: "I am delighted to welcome Nigel Gourlay to the Company. He brings with him a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience and strengthens further the Caffyns board."