BMW Group’s independent motor finance provider Alphera Financial Services has appointed Gerry Kouris to the role of marketing manager.

Previously at Fiat Group UK (capital goods division), Kouris (pictured) has had roles in sales, product marketing, dealer training and strategic joint ventures.

He takes on lead responsibility for all of Alphera’s dealer and media marketing strategy in the UK, as well as the marketing for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Financial Services and Aston Martin Financial Services.

As well as setting the communications strategy and providing frontline marketing support for Alphera’s national sales team, Kouris is leading a new thought leadership initiative to support Alphera’s 10th anniversary in the UK.

Culminating in an invitation-only gala event at the end of the year, the campaign will also deliver a high-profile thought leadership report into ‘Financing the car of the future’.

Harvard-educated Kouris, who has a BSc from University of London, a MSc from Warwick Business School in marketing and a MSc from King’s College London in accounting and finance, said: “We operate in a highly dynamic and fast-paced industry where influential factors such as technology, compliance, customer trends and macroeconomics determine the performance and expectations.

“With the thought leadership project, we aim to challenge ourselves and our industry partners to look into the future and act proactively. The aim should always be to provide innovative and sustainable solutions for the end customer.”