Heycar boss exits, swaps motor retail for the aviation industry

Former Volkswagen, Carwow and Heycar executive Karen Hilton has swapped motor retail for the aviation industry.

She has taken the role of managing director at BA Euroflyer, a subsidiary of British Airways which operates short haul routes from Gatwick Airport.

Hilton had been at automotive marketplace Heycar UK since 2019, initially as chief commercial officer and becoming chief executive in 2022.

Shortly after she took the helm the business underwent a restructuring with the loss of 73 jobs globally.

Heycar UK is part of Heycar Group, a Germany-based used car marketing business that was started in 2017 with the financial backing of Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and Renault with a goal to revolutionise the way people buy and experience cars.

Originally launching in the UK as classified marketplace, Heycar has since launched an e-commerce option for customers, and the business built a network of exclusive commercial partnerships with Parkers, BuyaCar, Regit and others in the UK and expanded overseas with launches in Spain, France and the Netherlands.

Prior to joining Heycar Hilton was at Carwow, initially overseeing sales operations and becoming its commercial director in 2019.

Hilton began her career in the automotive industry in 2006, initially with BMW Group UK before moving to Volkswagen UK in 2010.