Ford has appointed Nigel Sharp to lead its British sales team.

Sharp replaces Morten Hannesbo, who has been appointed to the newly created position of regional director of Austria and Switzerland and managing director of Ford Switzerland.

London-born Sharp returns to the UK after holding a number of senior finance, sales and marketing appointments across Europe, including stints as managing director of Ford's operations in Hungary, Czech Republic, Turkey and Switzerland.

Both appointments become effective on January 1.