Nissan GB sales director Tony Lewis has been announced as the new managing director of its own dealer group, Aprite, which trades as West Way.

Lewis will take the new post when the current incumbent Niall Maclaren retires on May 1.

Renault UK sales director Darren Payne is joining Nissan in a new role of UK sales director, replacing both Lewis and corporate sales director Barry Beeston.

Beeston is moving to Infiniti UK on May 1 as UK country director, taking over from Carl Bayliss who has been in the role for 16 months.

James Wright, managing director of Nissan Motor (GB), said:  “I am delighted to have someone of Darren’s calibre join us in this pivotal role.“The ideas and experience he brings with him will be instrumental in helping drive sales performance and build on another record breaking year for the brand in the UK.”

Payne said: "I am thrilled to be joining Nissan and taking on this new challenge, particularly at such an exciting time for the brand.

“There’s a great team in place and a fabulous range of market-leading products, with more on the way in the year ahead, so there’s much to look forward to.”