Jon Walden, the former boss of Lex prior to its merger with Autolease, has been appointed non-executive chairman of car dealer group HR Owen.

Walden will take up his new position at the start of 2010, nine months after he left Lex.

Walden entered the Fleet News Hall of Fame this year after being named leasing personality of the year in 2006.

The Fleet News Hall of Fame recognises and honours those people that have made an outstanding contribution to the fleet sector during their career.

Walden has worked in the industry for 27 years in a variety of roles including chief executive of Lex and as an executive director of RAC.

He is currently senior independent director of construction group Morgan Sindall and a non-executive director of Rangold Resources, a gold mining company.

HR Owen sells many of the world’s most prestigious car marques including Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley and Rolls Royce.