There have been changes of senior management at both Lexus and Renault in the UK, both effective January 01, 2022.

For Lexus, Chris Hayes is appointed director, taking over from the retiring Ewan Shepherd, having previously run the brand’s director of people and planning role.

Hayes has extensive experience within Toyota. He joined in 2003 with a variety of field-based roles before moving to Toyota Motor Sales USA in California as marketing manager.

Six years later he returned to the UK to lead the sales planning and vehicle marketing teams before promotion to marketing director in 2013. From 2015 he was based in Brussels with Toyota Motor Europe taking on responsibility for European pricing strategy and operations. He returned to the UK three years later for his most recent role.

On his appointment, Hayes commented:

“I am delighted to be leading the Lexus UK team during such a transformative time for the industry and our brand. Everything we do at Lexus is driven by a relentless focus on delivering an amazing and uniquely personalized customer experience. With our leading range of hybrid, plug-in, and battery electric technologies, we offer today’s consumers a sustainable and genuinely flexible powertrain choice based on their real-world personal mobility and driving needs.”

At Renault, Guillaume Sicard becomes country head UK & managing director Renault Brand UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus.

The highly experienced Sicard moves to the UK from his COO role in Renault China, while other senior positions included President of Nissan China and COO of Renault Turkey. He first joined Renault in 1992.

“I’m really excited to be joining a fantastic team in the UK,” he said. “With the new Mégane E-Tech 100% Electric coming next year, it’s a crucial time for Renault both globally and in the UK. I’m looking forward to the next step in our ‘Renaulution’ strategy as we ramp up our electrification plans.”

The former managing director of Renault UK, Vincent Tourette, is taking another position within the Renault Group.