CONTINENTAL Tyre Group Ltd today announces its new managing director. David Smith will take over from Brian Smith who leaves the company at the end of December after 13 years in the position.

David (41) is finance and IT director at the German tyre manufacturer’s UK head office in West Drayton. Having joined Continental in 2003, he will take over responsibility for the marketing, sales and distribution of the company’s passenger, commercial and industrial tyre products in the UK and Ireland.

Current managing director, Brian Smith, leaves to become chief executive at HF Holidays early next year.