Managing director Roland Bouchara is set to leave Renault UK on July 1 following a promotion to a European role.

He’ll be replaced by Thierry Sybord, who has been managing director of Renault Netherlands since July 2006.

Bouchara, who has headed Renault UK for almost four years, will become vice president of sales for Germany, Italy, Spain and UK.

He said: “My promotion is a result of the success our subsidiary has achieved in a very difficult economic environment.

"I would like to pay full tribute to the effort and contribution that all of our UK staff and dealers have put into the Renault Network Regeneration Plan which we launched in 2007 and, recently, the Destination 5 programme, which has resulted in us becoming the fifth placed brand as well as possessing a profitable dealer network.

“Clearly in my new role, this country will remain crucial to our European ambitions, so I will not lose touch and will always hold fond memories of my time here.”

Sybord, who has been with the French brand since 1989 and like Bouchara has been Renault France marketing director among the posts on his CV, said he looks forward to “the challenge of orchestrating Renault’s operations” in the UK.

He added: “With an impressive market share increase this year, one of the youngest car and van ranges in the industry and our innovative range of electric vehicles just on the horizon, it’s an exciting time to be joining.”