Andrew Lester has been appointed country manager of Alfa Romeo in the UK. He replaces Glyn Owen, who is leaving the company.

Lester, 47, has been group sales director of AutoLogic Holdings plc, Europe's largest independent finished vehicle logistics supplier, which provides a full range of logistics services to the automotive industry.

With almost 25 years' experience in the global automotive industry, Lester spent the first nine years of his career in the service and parts side of the business, and more than 15 years closely involved with large car sales and marketing at Ford Motor Company and Jaguar.

He has held a wide variety of sales and marketing positions, in both Europe and North America, and was director of Jaguar's UK operations from 1996 to 2002.

Lester takes up his new appointment next month.