Honda Appoints General Manager for UK Car Business

SLOUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – Sept 20, 2011: Honda (UK) is pleased to announce the appointment of Philip Crossman to the position of General Manager, Cars from the end of October.

Responsible for car sales performance reporting into Managing Director, Dave Hodgetts, the role will strengthen Honda's UK car operation as it prepares to launch the all-new Civic to its UK network next month.

At the same time, Janice Kennedy, Honda's head of cars sales is retiring at the end of October after six years in the post helping to steer Honda's car business through this difficult period. She is to return to the Scottish Highlands after commuting to and from London for many years.

Commenting on his appointment Philip Crossman said, "Honda (UK) and our dealers have a great future. The key is having a close working relationship, understanding the challenges of our dealer groups and individual businesses. With our Swindon plant back at full production and new Civic poised to hit the showrooms, the opportunity to grow our business and that of our dealers is right now."

Philip Crossman, 57, joined Honda in August 2000 as a regional manager and was made head of sales (cars) in February 2002 for the next four years until Oct 2006 when he took over as head of network development for Honda cars. Following a restructure in April 2010 he took on the role of head of dealer development for cars, motorcycles, lawn and garden, energy, marine and ATV networks.

Philip, 57, began his career at the Triumph Motor Co (soon to be British Leyland) as a commercial apprentice during which time he qualified as a chartered management accountant, working in finance before switching to sales and marketing. In 1983 he joined Peugeot, rising to National Business Manager. He then became one of the founding team for Nissan Motor GB when it was set up to replace Nissan UK.