Laura Brailey (pictured) has been appointed senior manager national sales at Mazda Motors UK.

Brailey joined Mazda in 1995 to cover for maternity leave and has been there ever since.

Previous roles have included North-West business manager, used car & fleet marketing manager and regional business manager South.

In her new role she manages a team of 14 business and regional managers and has pledged to make improving dealer profitability a number one priority.

Focusing on core volume models Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda MX-5 while launching all-new Mazda6 and the other Skyactiv cars that follow next year will be a key part of her strategy.