Harrison takes on the new role from 2nd September, succeeding Jon Williams, who takes up a new role with a private Toyota distributor outside Europe after three years leading the business in the UK.

Commenting on his new appointment, Harrison said: ‘I am delighted to be taking on this role at such an exciting time for both the Toyota & Lexus brands. We have a strategy to continue to grow both brands in the UK and I look forward to leading the team in the implementation of those plans.’

His previous motor industry experience includes 10 years with Ford Motor Company, working in various sales and marketing roles in its UK, European and global operations.

He joined Toyota GB as general manager, vehicle marketing in 2000, progressing to the post of marketing director in 2003. Subsequently he moved to Toyota Motor Europe in 2005, where he worked as general manager for corporate planning, before becoming general manager of sales planning department in 2006.

In 2008, he was appointed director of Lexus Europe, before returning to Toyota GB in 2011 as its commercial director.