EX-Ford and Mazda European marketing strategist Jim Tyrrell has been appointed managing director of Mitsubishi importer the Colt Car Company. He will officially join the Cirencester-based firm on May 22, but will be meeting UK dealers at an informal dinner arranged for the launch of the new Mitsubishi Shogun on May 5 in Bristol.

Tyrrell will take over the reins from Denis Murphy, who stepped in as acting MD last July after a restructuring which saw the departure of 50 staff, including then managing director Stephen Dixon, director sales Andrew Wenzel, director of marketing Colin Pearce and corporate sales manager David Lingwood. Murphy will remain on the board.