Name: Lawrence Hamilton
Company: Kia Motors (UK)
Job: General manager – marketing
Age: 35

How did you get in to the automotive business?
I undertook placements at Mazda while at university.

What does your job entail?
I am responsible for the entire marketing function for Kia UK.

How will your job change?
Rapid growth, but only on the back of introducing a consistent and relevant brand proposition.

Other jobs?
I started my career in the city, working for a fund management company. I switched to work for Daewoo, where I worked for four and a half years. After that I worked at Mazda Europe and then Colt Car Company.

Advice to young people considering the industry?
In the long term, think green. In the short term, think fast.

Worst career move?
Being too quick to accept an alternative job on my first day at a new employer to the one I was originally offered.

And the best?
Joining Daewoo in 1995. It provided a very steep but solid learning curve about marketing.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
Working somewhere warm on brand development strategies.

Favourite book
The English by Jeremy Paxman.

Favourite holiday
Anywhere with my wife that is warm, with good food and the opportunity to play tennis.

Favourite film
Until The End Of The World.

Favourite music
Simple Minds and chill out music.

First car
A dented red Seat Ibiza.

Dream car
One that hasn’t been invented yet: 100+ mpg, zero emissions but still fun to drive and fast... or an Aston Martin DB5.

Luxury item
A foreign home.