RRG Group’s Katie Newton becomes Marubeni Auto Investment UK F&I director

RRG Group head of digital strategy and transformation Katie Newton has been promoted into the role of F&I director at the car retail group's parent business Marubeni Auto Investment UK.

A statement issued by Manchester-based RRG today (March 9) revealed that Newton would assume responsibility for Marubeni Auto Investment Group UK's wider F&I requirements, including compliance, in her new role.

The group also owns Norton Way and completed the acquisition of a majority shareholding in three-site used car supermarket business HPL Motors Group in January.

Marubeni Auto Investment, a UK subsidiary of the Tokyo-based Marubeni Corporation, is headed-up by former Jardine and cinch director Jason Cranswick.

A statement issued by RRG said: “Katie has been an invaluable asset to the company since joining RRG Group in 2017 as group sales development manager.

“She has over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, including 16 years working for OEM and independent finance houses, and has played a significant role in driving The RRG Group's F&I performance to achieve a record result in 2022.

“In addition to her current role as Head of Digital Strategy and Transformation for The RRG Group, Katie will now also take on the responsibility of overseeing the wider Group's F&I requirements, including compliance.

“This new role will allow for a unified approach to be taken in this important area, providing consistency across the board.”

RRG said Newton’s experience and knowledge made her “the perfect fit” for her new position.

She completed her MBA in 2019, and her final thesis explored customers' propensity towards online retailing and the influence of dealer interaction.

Since her promotion to head of digital strategy and transformation in 2021, she has successfully led the expansion of RRG’s Digital Response Team and played a crucial role in delivering key initiatives such as RRG Direct (online car retail) and iStore Docs, the group said.

AM previously reported that RRG Group had renewed its contract with GForces after achieving a conversion rate of 81% from online enquiries.

The statement added: “We are confident that Katie will excel in her new position, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact she will have on Marubeni Auto Investment (UK) Limited.”