Mr Sellars, who was appointed to his role as head of UK fleet in 2008, has been recruited as general manager market management for Kia Motors Europe.

A spokesman for Kia Motors UK said of Mr Sellars' new role: 'It's part of KME's development of its pan-European field sales force. The role will see him looking after and liaising with various markets across Europe on overall sales strategy and performance and planning.'

The spokesman added: 'We wish Andrew every success. We're sad to lose him obviously but this is a great opportunity for him and we're not losing him to any opposition, we're losing him within the family, which is good.'

Kia said that it's already started the recruitment process for a new head of fleet & remarketing with both internal and external candidates, and that it will make an announcement in due course.