Chorley Group has appointed a group property manager to oversee future developments within the group and identify areas of further growth.

Phil Lambert joins the Lancashire-based, family-run business, from a post as associate director at architectural design firm Corstorphine and Wright.

Lambert said: “I’ll be looking out for potential new opportunities and making sure we are able to react quickly and effectively when they arise. This is an industry that’s forever changing, and it is critical for us to have the ability to move and change with it.

“I’m delighted to be given this opportunity at one of the region’s most dynamic businesses. It’s a very exciting time to be joining them.”

Chorley Group turned over £130 million in the last financial year and employs 240 people across its eight dealerships in Burnley, Preston, Chorley, Wigan and Blackpool.

Group sales director Adam Turner said: “We have plans in the pipeline to open dealerships in new territories in the region and having someone of Phil’s calibre as part of the team will help us enormously.

“This is a new role for the Chorley Group but having our in-house design and project management services now means we’re far less reliant on external skills and services and will be much more fleet of foot.”

The company, which operates Nissan, Kia, Fiat and Hyundai franchises across the North West, has been the UK’s number one Nissan retailer for seven consecutive years.