Glyn Hopkin has created the new role of operations director and appointed the first female to the company’s board.

The changes, which follow a year of record results for Glyn Hopkin, are designed to bolster the group’s continued growth towards its short-term goal of £500 million turnover by 2018.

Last year, Glyn Hopkin Holdings Limited – encompassing both its retail and property management operations – achieved record turnover of £456m, an 8.61% rise over 2015.

It also achieved total operating profits of £10m, representing a 12.7% improvement for the business, as the overall company’s profits in 2015 benefitted from the sale of its Leyton freehold.

The new role of operations director will be filled by Stuart Hodson, promoted from the position of Nissan brand director.

He reports directly to managing director Fraser Cohen.

Hodson started his career at Glyn Hopkin 24 years ago. Hodson will oversee the group’s franchise-specific brand directors, as well as the directors for aftersales and used cars.

Sally Germain, previously Glyn Hopkin’s group used stock control manager has been promoted to the position of brand director used cars.

Before joining Glyn Hopkin in April 2012, Germain was the used car performance manager for Nissan in the UK.

Hodson said: “I will be supporting long-standing colleagues across all of our customer-focused functions to help the group maintain its emphasis on delivering outstanding service and driving profitability.”

Germain said: “The board-level used car role highlights the significance of this area to Glyn Hopkin’s business strategy. Last year we saw outstanding used car sales performance, and careful management of our stock of more than 2,500 approved used vehicles will support our continued growth in this respect.”

Between January 1 and December 31, 2016, Glyn Hopkin dealerships sold 10,939 vehicles, representing an uplift of 17% compared to 2015. The business now employs 800 staff across more than 40 dealerships.

Cohen said: “Our restructured senior team will play a vital role in ensuring we meet our ambitious growth objectives, as well as drive further improvements in operational efficiency.

"The new role of operations director will facilitate communication between sales, aftersales and used car functions, and support all of our staff to develop in their careers with Glyn Hopkin.

“While our 2016 performance exceeded the previous year’s results, we remain motivated and are keen to improve further. Our hard-working team has more facilities and an even wider range of brands and models than ever before, but our focus on unrivalled customer service remains at the core of our business strategy.”

Glyn Hopkin’s achievements last year also included being ranked as one of the UK’s top 25 fastest-growing mid-market companies in the Sunday Times Top Track 250, and having its Chelmsford dealership rewarded with Nissan’s highest worldwide honour – a Global Award – for the third year in succession.

Glyn Hopkin represents 12 brands.