The head of Vertu Motors’ Ford operation has left the group, 10 months after its takeover of Bristol Street Motors.

Mark Hamer had been managing director of Bristol Street Motors prior to its acquisition in February, after which he became managing director of Vertu’s Ford division.

Vertu chief executive Robert Forrester described Hamer’s departure as "amicable" and “to pursue other business interests” but declined to comment further on the circumstances.

Forrester has appointed former Pendragon regional director Ian Harrison as Ford divisional director. And Neil Crossley, latterly a divisional director at Dixon Motors, has joined Vertu as managing director of its six Bristol Street dealerships in the Birmingham area.