Paul Philpott returns to Kia Motors UK and Ireland as President and CEO

Paul Philpott, currently Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe in Frankfurt is returning to become President and Chief Executive Officer of Kia Motors UK and Ireland– the first time a non-Korean has been appointed to such a role at any Kia
subsidiary in Europe.

Philpott, 45, was Managing Director Kia Motors (UK) Limited from 2007 until he moved to Frankfurt in 2009 and will return to the Weybridge base from the start of July this year. The move comes as part of Kia’s plan to strengthen its global representation and management in individual markets as part of its plan for the further development of its global activities.

During his time at Kia Motors Europe Philpott has led the brand through a period of significant expansion and the launch of the innovative and still industry leading seven year warranty – a customer benefit unmatched by any manufacturer across Europe. He also presided over a product blitz that has seen Kia establish itself as Europe’s fastest growing car brand.

Announcing the move, Brandon Yea, President of Kia Motors Europe, said, “The Kia brand is now Europe’s fastest growing thanks to Paul Philpott and he knows very well that we are determined to strengthen local management at all our subsidiary companies in order to become a truly global automotive organisation."

“This promotion is putting an individual with specific local expertise into a role that we have previously filled from headquarters in Korea - as we have developed our operations around the world. Now is the right time – in our best performing market in Europe – to change our strategic focus and I cannot think of anyone better than Paul to take on this duty. I want to thank him on behalf of the Kia Motors Corporation as well as Kia Motors Europe for all he has achieved for the business over the last three years here in Frankfurt,” he concluded."

Philpott added, “I am very sad to leave an excellent team at KME but I am truly excited by the task I have been asked to undertake. Of course I am very happy to be moving back to the UK and to have the chance to work again with an excellent team and some of the best dealers in Europe. With Michael Cole and everyone at Weybridge I look forward to putting Kia right into the top rank of premium volume manufacturers in the UK and helping to ensure our dealers and customers will have an ever-improving experience with Kia.”

Michael Cole, Kia Motors (UK) Limited Managing Director commented, “Having worked with Paul in the past at Toyota and having succeeded him in this role in the UK I am delighted that he is coming back to help us continue the major task of taking Kia to our longer-term vision of 100,000 sales per year in the UK. Paul’s understanding of the relationship between manufacturer and dealer network is unrivalled and his efforts to construct a strong, aspirational and attractive business proposition for our partners can only contribute positively to the remarkable growth we have enjoyed in the UK."

“I know that all of our staff and every one of our dealers in the UK will be delighted to see him back here and I am certain that his knowledge and skills will take us to new heights in the UK new car market,” he added.

Married with two children, Philpott, graduated in Finance at Loughborough University, and spent 12 months in the financial sector before joining Ford Motor Company in 1988. After nine years in Ford's UK Sales and Marketing Division, he moved to Toyota as General Manager, Marketing.

Philpott was appointed Marketing Director in 1999 and in 2003 became Commercial Director with responsibility for all of Toyota's commercial operations in the UK - sales, marketing, aftersales and logistics before moving to Kia.

Posted in: Brandon Yea,Chief Operating Officer,Europe,Frankfurt,Ireland,Kia,Kia Motors,Loughborough University,Managing Director,Michael Cole,New Appointment,Paul Philpott,President,Subsidiary,UK,Weybridge