BMW Group UK pursues future car retail solutions with leadership reshuffle

BMW Group UK has appointed its first general manager for future retail as part of a reshuffle of its senior leadership team.

General manager for national sales Gary Lewington has taken up the newly-created role at the German premium car brand in a move which, it said, would aim to address “changing customer behaviours and an increasing focus on digital customer interaction”.

Elsewhere, Rob East has switched from his position as general manager for corporate sales to lead national sales operations as Steve Roberts takes up his old role and Andrew Sargeant become BMW’s sales development manager.

The changes come around eight months after Chris Brownridge replaced former BMW UK chief executive Graeme Grieve upon his retirement from the business.

Commenting on the team appointments, BMW Group UK sales director Julian Jenkins said: “I’m delighted we are able to create a new role specifically focused on ensuring BMW Group UK remains at the forefront of our changing industry.

“We have a wealth of experience within the team who have delivered exceptional quality of business, maximised market potential and steered our customers and retail partners through the challenging market environment of the past two years.

“I’m confident all four will continue their success in these new roles.”

New general manager for future retail, Lewington, has been with BMW for 34 years, with the last eight years in his previous role.

The OEM said his experience of the franchised car retail network and his broader knowledge of the company made him the ideal candidate for his new role.

East, who has led corporate sales for the BMW and Mini brands since joining the group in 2019, has been credited with transforming the corporate sales function in the past three years, meanwhile.

The brand said that he had successfully positioned the brand as “the leading premium brand in this area” as well as delivering year on year growth.

Roberts has been with BMW Group UK for over 25 years and was previously in charge of Mini corporate and used cars between 2017 and 2019.

BMW said his experience and knowledge would ensure the continued development for both brands in the fleet and corporate market, with a particular focus on electrification.

Sargeant has been with BMW since 2016 and moves to his new role from a position as manager of strategic projects.