Toyota has promoted Richard Balshaw as its new sales director following Michael Cole’s appointment as managing director of Kia UK.

Balshaw has worked for Toyota for the past 15 years and began his career as area aftersales manager. In 2000 he moved to network development and in 2002 into the marketing department before being promoted to general manager aftersales in 2006.

Balshaw started in his new role on July 1 and reports to Jon Williams, Toyota GB’s commercial director.