He has been appointed to the newly-created position of operations director for Lookers' Motor Division.

“I retain a share ownership of Bramall & Jones but it's quite a mature business and is self sustaining with its current management structure,” said Jones.

“It's very well managed, and doesn't need me running round it day by day.” Jones played down press reports that Bramall & Jones were actively seeking to sell some of its showrooms and had been courted by rival businesses. “We've never put anything openly on the market,” said Jones, who added that the last sale was its Derby-based VW operation, which was bought by Sytner in December. At Lookers he will oversee English franchises for Smart, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge and PSA outlets. He will also be accountable for Lookers' ‘stand alone' Hyundai, Chevrolet, Skoda and Alfa Romeo operations.

Before setting up Bramall & Jones he was CDO of CD Bramall and worked briefly at Inchcape. Business partner Tony Bramall is already a shareholder and non-executive director with Lookers. Chief executive of the dealer group Ken Surgenor signalled his firm's intention to appoint an operations director when the group announced its preliminary results. He said current business growth made the appointment necessary.