Aston Barclay has appointed Rowland Whittington as project manager and has promoted Sam Leigh to business development manager at the Donington Park Mega Centre.

Having spent 31 years as a systems engineer in the Royal Navy, and seven years working for Cox Automotive, Whittington (pictured) has “vast project management experience”.

His focus will be on property projects and operational efficiency across the group, and will report to chief financial officer and commercial director, John Crichton.

Chrichton said: “As we continue to expand it’s vital we make all areas of our business as efficient as possible, particularly the physical auction infrastructure and high asset investment areas such as transport.

“Rowland has a strong track record in business improvement and we are pleased to welcome him to the team.

"As for Sam he has the right DNA to work at Aston Barclay and has built excellent relationships with vendors and buyers since joining the Donington team, showing dedication, determination and the perfect Aston Barclay attitude.”

Whittington’s first job will be to manage the the £1m redevelopment of Chelmsford. He will also be leading the expansion plans at Prees Heath site and increasing efficiencies within Aston Barclay’s transport fleet.

Leigh has worked in the remarketing industry for three years and was part of the team who set up and launched the new Donington site.

He has played an “integral part” in setting up a new buyer services team and recruiting additional buyers.

He will be responsible for further growing relationships with vendors and buyers at the 18-acre Donington site reporting to centre manager Zaiga Jinkinson.