Nidd Vale Group, the Harrogate independent motor retailer, has promoted Mike Bligh to be bodyshop manager at its Leeds Road site.

Bligh initially joined the company three years ago as a technician.

Colin Hainstock, Nidd Vale chairman and chief executive, said: “It has always been our policy to promote staff internally, where possible, and we are extremely fortunate to have team members of Bligh’s calibre. Since he joined us, he has demonstrated considerable initiative as well as technical skill.”

In another internal promotion, Andrew Trueman-Smith, who joined Nidd Vale two years ago, has been appointed as workshop controller.

“These two appointments will help us to streamline the bodyshop processes by improving efficiency,” Hainstock added.

Nidd Vale’s new bodyshop manager, Mike Bligh, right, with Andrew Trueman-Smith, the new workshop controller