Sytner Group's new chairman Laurence Vaughan is looking for solid year-on-year growth from acquisitions after being given the go-ahead to invest more than £60m in facilities over the next 18 months.

Vaughan already represents Sytner on the board of parent company United Auto Group, which is the third largest automotive retailer in America. He replaces group founder Frank Sytner, who becomes an advisor to the board.

“We expect our business to grow significantly and are investing more than £60m in facilities alone,” says Vaughan. Sytner is 11th in the AM100 with 71 outlets – last week it bought three ex-Arriva showrooms in the West Country – representing premium marques like Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Land Rover. Vaughan expects turnover, currently £724m (2002 AM100: £597m), to be “approaching £1bn” this year.

Under the reshuffle two joint managing director roles have been created. Former operations director Gerard Nieuwenhuys takes responsibility for dealer activities, while Mark Morris, previously finance director, will oversee finance, acquisitions and group central services.