After eight years at the Finance & Leasing Association, Paul Harrison, head of motor finance, will leave in November to take up a new car finance role at Auto Trader.

Stephen Sklaroff, FLA director general, said: “I am very grateful to Paul for his huge contribution to the FLA over the last 8 years and, in particular, during his time as head of motor finance.

“He has worked extremely hard for the FLA’s motor members across a wide range of issues, and can be justly proud of his achievements in areas like the FLA’s Specialist Automotive Finance initiative and the industry’s response to the new system of credit regulation.

“Paul will leave with our very best wishes for the next step in his career.”

Work has already begun to find a successor and the FLA hopes to announce the appointee before the end of the year.

Harrison joins Auto Trader on November 24.

His role as head of finance role will involve direct liaison with dealers. In addition to external communications, Harrison will liaise with Auto Trader legal and security teams to ensure dealer compliance with all regulatory processes and approvals.

He will also work with product teams to identify ways to help franchise, supermarkets and independents, as well as consumers.

Sharon Randall, sales director at Auto Trader, said: “It’s really important that we are able to help all our customers to win in the marketplace, in every part of their business.

"Finance is an important element of a car retailer’s business and Paul is at the top of his game when it comes to an understanding of how current issues directly affect our customers."