David Hilbert will return to Kia UK as sales director next month taking responsibility for retail and fleet performance across passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
Reporting to Simon Hetherington, commercial director at Kia UK, Hilbert will oversee sales operations while working closely with the brand’s dealer network to sustain recent growth.
Kia UK ended 2025 as the fourth best-selling brand in the market, achieving a 5.6% market share with 113,436 vehicle registrations.
This performance made the UK subsidiary Kia’s strongest market in Europe, with 2026 expected to mark the first full year of commercial vehicle sales alongside continued passenger car growth.
Returns to drive UK sales
Hilbert rejoins the UK business following his role as marketing director at Kia Europe since January 2022, where he led brand development, digital innovation and communications strategy.
During his time in Europe, he supported the rollout of Kia’s ‘Plan S’ strategy and played a key role in major product milestones, including the EV6 securing European Car of the Year and the Kia PV5 winning International Van of the Year 2025.
He also contributed to the launch of Kia’s PBV business, which is now being introduced into the UK market as part of the brand’s wider commercial vehicle strategy.
Hilbert previously served as marketing director at Kia UK between 2016 and 2022 and was recognised in Marketing Week’s Top 100 most effective marketers.
Hilbert, commenting on his appointment, said: “I am thrilled to be joining Kia UK once again, after a rewarding few years at Kia Europe. I am also excited to take on a new challenge and apply my skills to lead the sales department for Kia’s best performing market in Europe.
“Kia UK consistently delivers progressive sales success year-on-year in a challenging and volatile market. It will be my keen focus to maintain this impressive track record.”
De Silva pursues new opportunities
Hilbert replaces Sanka De Silva, who has held the sales director role since March 2025. De Silva joined Kia in 2017 and held several positions within the business, including marketing director, before moving into sales leadership.
During his tenure, De Silva supported the launch of Kia’s PBV programme in the UK and contributed to the brand’s continued market momentum. He now leaves the business to pursue a new opportunity in the automotive sector.
Simon Hetherington, commercial director at Kia UK, said: “Kia UK’s success can be partly attributed to the consistency and longevity of the senior leadership team. Reappointing David into our business as sales director is a strategic move to ensure we maintain our long-term strategy planning and delivery ability, alongside our award-winning partnership with our dealer partners.
“David has developed a great reputation within Kia to date and I’m proud to have him back as a senior member of Kia UK.
“My thanks go to Sanka for his determination, hard work and loyalty to the Kia brand for nearly 10 years and we wish him our very best wishes for the future.”
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