Kia UK has announced changes to its senior management team, with two directors swapping roles.
Steve Hicks, who was formerly the brand’s sales director – a role that includes responsibility for fleet channels – has moved to become marketing director, with the sales director role now filled by former marketing director Sanka De Silva.
Hicks has been with Kia UK since 2017, and is said to have played an instrumental role in its sales growth, up from from 93,304 in 2017 to 112,252 in 2024.
De Silva has also been with Kia UK since 2017, first with a focus on strategic dealer marketing communications and retail programmes, before progressing to lead the wider UK marketing operation.
Both Hicks and De Silva remain on the Kia UK executive board of directors, and continued to report to commercial director Simon Hetherington.
Hicks 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.”
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.”
