Bowker Motor Group has confirmed leadership changes across its BMW and Mini dealerships in Lancashire as part of a strategic restructure for this year.
Bowker has appointed Chris Eccles as managing director and head of business at its BMW and Mini centre in Preston.
He will continue in his role as managing director at Bowker Blackburn.
Eccles, who has spent 25 years with the family-owned retailer, will now lead the Preston operation while mentoring leadership teams across both the Preston and Blackburn sites.
He succeeds Jonathan Rogan, who is stepping down as head of business at Preston to take up a new group wide role, which is expected to be confirmed shortly.
Eccles said: “After more than two decades at Bowker, it’s a privilege to take the reins at Preston.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with the team here while continuing to support the wider leadership group across both sites.”
At Bowker Blackburn, Richard Cowell has been appointed general manager, assuming day-to-day responsibility for the site.
He moves into the role from his previous position as BMW and Mini group general sales manager, a post he has held since 2021.
Craig Stephenson, previously new car sales manager at Bowker Blackburn, will succeed Cowell as BMW and Mini group general sales manager.
Stephenson joined the business in 2021 and will now support new and used vehicle sales across both BMW and MINI dealerships, alongside contributing to the development of Bowker’s non franchise sales division.
Cowell’s appointment follows a 27-year career with Bowker, having joined the business in the late 1990s.
The group said the changes reflect its long-standing focus on internal development and succession planning.
The latest appointments build on leadership changes made in 2021, which brought the Preston and Blackburn centres under a unified sales strategy.
Bowker said the restructure underlines its focus on leadership continuity and future growth as it prepares for new partnerships and brand launches in 2026.
Rogan said: “It’s been a fantastic journey leading the team at Preston, and I’m looking forward to what comes next in my new role.
“There’s a lot happening across the group, and it’s an exciting time to be part of Bowker’s next phase.”
Further details of Rogan’s new role within Bowker Motor Group are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.