Lance Bradley has announced he will be stepping down from the role of managing director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK at the end of the current financial year (March 31, 2018).

Bradley made the announcement to colleagues and staff during a staff meeting yesterday morning.

After 17 years at Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, initially as sales and marketing director and as managing director for the past nine years, he said he has taken the decision to step down having placed the company on an extremely solid footing, ideally placed to take on the challenges of the evolving automotive landscape.

Under his stewardship, Mitsubishi Motors has enjoyed success in plug-in hybrid sales with the Outlander and posted record profits.

Over the next six months he will continue to oversee the company’s transition to working within the new Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, as well as the launch of several significant new initiatives, partnership announcements and the rollout of important new vehicles for the brand.

He said: “Following 17 fantastic years here at Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, the last nine of which were as managing director, I have decided that the time is right for me to seek a new challenge.

“I have happily agreed to help find my successor and to stay around for a further 12 months as vice chairman after the appointment of the new MD to ensure a smooth handover.

“I want to thank everyone in Mitsubishi Motors for their support in my time here. It has been an amazing time – one I will never forget – and I wish my successor, the company and everyone who works here continued success in the years to come.”

Recruitment for Bradley’s replacement will begin immediately with a view to appointing a new managing director in early 2018.