New joint role for Renault's fleet boss Payne

Renault UK’s fleet boss Darren Payne has been appointed the manufacturer’s new sales director with immediate effect.

Payne will now head up a sales department combining the previously separate commercial operations (sales network and franchising operations) and fleet and commercial vehicle operations departments.

Renault says this newly merged operation will ensure a consistent strategy across all of the marque’s sales channels, which is set to become even more important with ZE and Dacia activity in the months ahead.

The move follows the departure of its dealer operations director Ian Plummer at the end of last month.

Payne joined Renault UK’s board of directors in October 2009 and since then has reasserted the brand’s position in both the fleet and LCV sectors, resulting in significant year-on-year sales improvements in the corporate market and a record performance in LCV sales.

He said: “I’m delighted to be taking on such an exciting challenge. With new versions of Twingo, Megane and Scenic all arriving in the next few months, together with the eagerly-awaited Twizy, Fluence ZE and ZOE models, and the expected deluge of enquiries for our Dacia brand in the lead-up to its January 2013 launch, it’s going to be a very busy year.

“With a great team in place and some genuinely exciting products, it’s a wonderful opportunity for us and our network to take full advantage.”

Thierry Sybord, managing director, Renault UK, added: “I’m pleased to welcome Darren into his new position. With his solid commercial experience, a fully-focused team supporting him and the imminent launch of a fresh product line-up in February, I’m confident of the results which will be delivered.”