BOB Garwood is Ford of Britain’s new national contract hire and leasing manager, replacing Ian Mills who is retiring.

His appointment follows two-and-a-half years as sales operations manager, dealing with vehicle stock, promotion and systems improvements between head office and its network.

Bob Garwood joined the Ford UK national sales company in 2007 and covered zone, marketing and sales planning roles prior to the last sales operations post.

A mechanical engineering graduate, Bob joined Ford Product Development in 2002 and was part of the Body Engineering team behind Transit, Focus and Ka.