VINCENT Tourette has been named as the new MD for Groupe Renault UK & Ireland, effective today.

Vincent Tourette has worked for the Renault-Nissan Alliance for 23 years.  Most recently, Vincent was with Nissan, based in Tokyo, as vice-president, sales and marketing, with global responsibility for their LCV range (pick-ups, vans and light trucks).

Previously he has held a variety of commercial roles with Groupe Renault including CEO for the five countries in the Nordic region, marketing director for the Netherlands and, previously in the UK, as general manager for a Renault Retail Group branch and marketing planning manager at Renault UK.

In his new role as managing director, he will be responsible for Renault and Dacia in UK and Ireland and also the right-hand drive markets of Cyprus and Malta.

Vincent will report to Ken Ramirez, senior vice-president sales and marketing Europe G9, and replaces Paul Flanagan, whose future role within the group will be announced shortly.

Commenting on the appointment, Ken Ramirez said: “I am delighted to welcome Vincent back to the UK with Groupe Renault.  He is a highly talented executive with a wealth of experience and we are very fortunate to have him again with us in the Europe region.”

Vincent Tourette said: “It’s a very exciting time to be coming back to the UK.  I can see that tremendous growth had been achieved in the recent years and I’m sure that there will be more to come with the youngest model range in Europe and more to come with the forthcoming launch this year of the all-new Renault Koleos.”