HR Owen has revealed that former Channel 4 TV chief Andy Duncan will become the supercar dealer's new chief executive.

Duncan will take up the role on October 4, filling a hole left by the departure of HR Owen founder and CEO Nick Lancaster during a boardroom upheaval initiated by chairman Jon Walden in June.

Duncan was most recently chief executive of Channel 4, a position he held from 2004 to 2009.

During his tenure, the TV company increased its market share from 10% to a record 12% and grew its share of UK TV advertising yearly to a record 25% in 2009.

Previous executive roles included director of marketing, communications and audiences at the BBC, and founding chairman of Freeview, plus senior management roles at Unilever.

He is also a non-executive director of entertainment retailer HMV, and is chairman of the Media Trust.

Walden said it was "a real coup" to attract an individual of Duncan's calibre, and his track record of general management, marketing and sales plus his experience of new internet technology will benefit HR Owen in building its business for the future.

In hiring a chief executive from outside the motor retail industry HR Owen follows in the footsteps of fellow publicly listed motor retailer Inchcape, whose chief executive Andre Lacroix had previously headed Eurodisney and Burger King.