Caffyns operations director Guy Ainsley will leave the dealer group at the end of its current financial year on March 31, 2013.

In a statement to The City, Caffyns said Ainsley would continue to progress with the implementation of the Company's strategy of focusing on premium and premium-volume franchises and building scale.

Simon Caffyn, chief executive, said: "As we near the completion of our restructuring programme Guy has tendered his resignation and will be leaving at the end of March 2013 to further develop his career after a very successful period with Caffyns.

“Over the past three years, as part of our strategy, we have disposed of surplus properties and rationalised our franchise portfolio.

“We have reinvested the property sale proceeds in the business, including in an enlarged flagship Land Rover dealership in Lewes, East Sussex. This process will continue with investments being made in our Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen businesses, including in new freehold dealerships, to build sales capacity, improve customer service and staff facilities.”

Ainsley said: “The staff of Caffyns have excelled in the past three years in refocusing the business while trading profitably in a very difficult market. It's been a pleasure being part of this process and I look forward to continuing my involvement over the coming months.”

Caffyns chairman Brian Birkenhead stepped down towards the end of July following the group’s interim management statement.