Kia UK has reshuffled its senior management team to boost performance. with two directors swopping jobs.
Steve Hicks is appointed as Kia UK’s marketing director, with Sanka De Silva taking on the role of sales director.
Both moves have been made to deliver on Kia’s ‘Take the Lead’ strategy for 2025, focusing on introducing the company’s largest number of new electrified vehicles in a single year, and entering the light commercial vehicle market for the first time with the fully electric Kia PV5.
Hicks, previously sales director for Kia UK, joined the business in 2017, leading all sales channels across retail and fleet, for new and used cars, in collaboration with the 190-strong dealer network.
On his watch new car sales grew from 93,304 in 2017, to a record 112,252 in 2024.
Hicks will now lead Kia UK’s marketing function as it enters an era of product introductions and brand development.
He said: “Kia is at a pivotal moment right now, as we enhance our position as a leader in electrification and build on our range of customer-centric electrified vehicles.
“The trust and engagement of our customers has always been key to our continued success, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead Kia’s product positioning and marketing communications to enhance how UK consumers approach and engage with the brand.”
Sanka will now channel his far-reaching expertise into the Sales Director role, as the brand enters the commercial vehicle sector, broadens the customer base and builds on the sales success in an ever-changing market place.
De Silva said: “I am thrilled to be taking on this new position at such an exciting and evolving time for Kia.
“Our entry into the LCV market and the changing industry landscape presents real opportunity for Kia. With such a strong product line-up in view, an engaged and committed dealer network and sales momentum at a promising rate, we’re in a positive position and I am eager to get started and lead our sales function to new heights.”
Both Hicks and De Silva maintain their equal position on the executive board of directors for Kia UK and continue to report to commercial director, Simon Hetherington.
