Former Mitsubishi Motors in the UK managing director, Rob Lindley, has joined Ennis & Co as an associate.

Mitsubishi Motors UK appointed Lindley as managing director in 2018 and in 2019 he outlined his five-year plan for growth for the Japanese brand in conversation with AM.

In 2020, however, Lindley said he expected “no mass exodus” of car dealers from the brand’s franchised UK retail network after the Mitsubishi UK operations owner, the Colt Car Company, wrote to its 103 franchisees to inform them that the brand’s Mid-Term Plan would mean an immediate freeze on new models entering the European market. 

During his automotive career, Lindley has also held the roles as marketing director, sales director and MD at Mazda Motors UK, sales and marketing director at McLaren Group, various roles in the UK and Europe at Ford Motor Company, and VP and MD Europe, Middle East and Africa at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. 

Lindley's marketing and management experience has culminated in his status as a non-executive director and property investor, Ennis & Co said.

Lynda Ennis, founder at Ennis & Co, wrote on LinkedIn: “I have had the pleasure of working with Rob for a number of years from both a candidate and client perspective. He brings forth a wealth of experience in managing and leading change within large global automotive organisations.

“I know the Ennis & Co team and our wider panel of Associates very much look forward to working with Rob on many of our exciting upcoming projects. Rob is another individual dedicated to driving change within our weird and wonderful industry- and I look forward to this unfolding.”

Lindley said: “I am thrilled to join Ennis & Co as an associate. I have had the pleasure of working with Lynda and the team for several years as both a candidate and a hiring client and Ennis & Co have always done an outstanding job.

“Moreover, I believe that the values of Ennis & Co’s reflect a business that is dedicated to driving positive change and to improving the sector. If I can make a contribution to that through my role as an associate, then I will be absolutely delighted.”