Bramall & Jones co-founder Peter Jones has quit the Lincolnshire dealer group in order to join top 10 AM100 group Lookers.

AM understands that some of Bramall & Jones's Volkswagen dealerships are currently in the process of being sold. Gilders Group, which represents Volkswagen and Audi in Yorkshire and Derbyshire, had made an approach for the businesses, but negotiations stalled.

Former CD Bramall chief executive Jones and chairman Tony Bramall had founded Bramall & Jones in 2005 after selling CD Bramall to Pendragon. Jones' acceptance of the role of operations director at Manchester-based Lookers keeps the duo together, as Bramall has a non-executive director position on Lookers' board.

Both have retained a stake in Bramall & Jones, but are not involved in day-to-day operations, which have been delegated to a strong management team, said Jones.

In his new role, Jones will be responsible for Lookers' franchises in England including Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Volkswagen, PSA, Chrysler Jeep Dodge and will also have accountability for standalone Hyundai, Chevrolet, Skoda and Alfa Romeo dealerships.