Pendragon has announced that Jeremy King has been appointed as an independent non-executive director of the motor retail group with immediate effect.

King has extensive transaction and advisory experience, the car dealer group said, and he joins Pendragon following a professional career with PwC and its predecessor firms, retiring in December 2013.

King is replacing Malcolm Le May, who has retired from the board as an independent non-executive director.

Chris Chambers, who joined the Board as an independent non-executive director in January 2013, becomes senior independent director with immediate effect.

Pendragon chairman Mel Egglenton said: "I am delighted that Jeremy is joining our Board and we look forward to working with him.  He has a record of considerable achievements in his professional and business life and brings to the board valuable experience from having advised a wide range of corporates."

"I would like to thank Malcolm for his time on the board and for his contribution since joining us in 2006. The board has benefited from his counsel as  senior independent director and expresses our gratitude and our very best wishes to Malcolm."