Alec Murray has been appointed to the new position of non-executive chairman of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF).

The appointment marks the final phase of the Federation's restructuring strategy following the sale of the training arm ReMIT in May 2006.

Murray returns to the RMIF having done two stints as head of the national franchised dealers association (NFDA): as president in 1995-1997 and chairman in 2005-2006.

The new position will see him head up the new management team, consisting of Ray Holloway, Sue Robinson and Kevin Waterman.

In addition to his role as director of independent member associations, Ray Holloway will head up the sales and marketing function, while Sue Robinson, in her role as director of the national franchised dealers association, will take responsibility for policy and press.

Kevin Waterman, who has been acting as interim managing director, will now resume his former position as finance director.

All three will join Murray on the board of directors and will oversee the day to day running of the RMIF.