Toyota appoints head marketer for financial arm

Toyota GB has appointed former Ford and Renault marketer James Starling to the new role of sales and marketing director for its financial services division.

Starling, who joins the Japanese car marque from vehicle management company LeasePlan, will report to operations director for Toyota Financial Services (TFS), Doug Gillies.

Starling has held senior positions in the professional services sector at companies such as Coopers & Lybrand and White Clarke Group. He also has 12 years motor finance experience with Ford Credit and Renault Finance.

Gillies says: “Starling has a tremendous breadth of experience in marketing, sales, strategic planning and development, which he brings to TFS at a challenging time for the industry. He will play a key role in the future expansion of TFS in the UK.”

Starling’s appointment is the latest in a series of changes to Toyota’s marketing department, both in the UK and Europe, in the past year.

The company’s former European marketing director Jon Williams was made commercial director for Great Britain earlier this year (MW January 18) after Paul Philpott left to join Kia UK as managing director.

Toyota then raided its sister marque Lexus to replace Williams by appointing Paul van der Burgh as European marketing director (MW March 22).

Toyota marketer Dirk De Man moved in the opposite direction to replace van der Burgh (MW April 5).