Glyn Hopkin operations director Stuart Hodson has left the business to “pursue other opportunities” two years after taking up the post with the Romford-based retail group.

The expanding South East AM100 car retail group said that Hodson’s decision to move on had been “under discussion within the business for some time”, adding that a three-month notice period has already been completed under mutual agreement.

The group restructured its board in November with the appointment of Shab Chowdrey as sales director and Mark Goddard as service director in a planned restructure to replace the operations director role.

Glyn Hopkin managing director, Fraser Cohen, said: “I am sure the board and all of the staff at Glyn Hopkin would join me in thanking Stuart for the invaluable contribution made to the business over nearly 27 years and wish him all the best for the future.

“I am also confident that the subsequent opportunity to restructure the senior team at board level will enable us to further grow the business both in terms of turnover and profitability as well as continue to deliver the highest levels of customer quality.

“I am also pleased we have been able to continue our founding principle to promote from within with two new board appointments and again fill the vacancies these created from within the company.”

Hodson was promoted from his previous position as brand director at Glyn Hopkin in February 2017, having worked for the business since August 1993 when he joined at the age of 17.

At the time he was appointed as a trainee sales executive at the group’s first Nissan dealership, London Romford.

Glyn Hopkin’s latest annual financial results, for the period to December 31, 2018, showed a 2.4% rise in turnover, to £436.8 million, alongside a profit before tax figure down 66.6% at £1.1m.

Last week AM reported that Glyn Hopkin had joined the Kia Motor UK franchise with the opening of its first dealership for the Korean car manufacturer.

The AM100 group has moved its Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Fiat and Jeep multi-brand FCA Group franchise out of the location on High Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, to make way for the brand.

The FCA operation has moved into its nearby Nissan showroom, AM understands.

A comment posted on the Glyn Hopkin website said: “We are extremely pleased to announce the opening of our very first KIA showroom in Romford, officially open from Monday 23rd December.

“The addition of Kia adds to what is already a very impressive selection within our group portfolio as we strive to continue to offer our customers as much choice as possible throughout our group.”