Motor industry and IT experts for Virgin

Virgin Cars chief executive officer Ian Lancaster hopes BBC Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson will represent the “voice of the consumer”, as Sir Richard Branson revealed the management structure of his internet car sales division. Willson, who has been a vociferous campaigner for lower car prices, has teamed up with Virgin Cars to “ensure that the interests of the consumer are ever present in our thinking”, said Mr Lancaster.

Former Aston Martin Lagonda chairman Tim Hearley becomes non executive director, bringing IT and automotive experience.

Piers Skelton, who was forced to resign as Mitsubishi Motors UK director of aftersales and information services last August after a conflict of interest, is appointed aftersales director. He will develop industry partnerships with consumer brands, fundamental to Virgin Cars' aftersales concept.

Director of supply Mark Lucas joins from Logica. Martin Elton becomes director of customer operations, from Anderson Consulting, and Jon Keyte is appointed director of finance.