Paul Philpott

THE OPENING LAST year of Kia’s largest European dealership – a glass-fronted, 3700-square-metre site next to the M4 in west London – is a sure sign of confidence from the Korean car maker.

Of course, no such investment could be committed without robust business performance, and that’s why Kia’s UK CEO, Paul Philpott , has scooped an Outstanding UK Leader award this year.

Philpott has been in the hot seat since 2012 – plenty of time to get to grips with the business, make his mark and notch up a record of successful decision-making.

Kia is now on a roll, with its strongest-ever model range reflected in its best-ever new car sales, copious used customers and a happy network.

Last year, new car sales hit 89,000 units, sufficient to lift Kia ahead of more illustrious and well-established nameplates. That success further crystallised in 2016 with outstanding sales of the Sportage SUV, which jumped to 40,000 – double 2015’s number and backed by strong residuals and PCP finance deals.

Philpott’s next challenge is to successfully bring the rear-wheeldrive, V6-powered Stinger sports saloon to market.