Rolls-Royce appoints new Middle East chief

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has appointed a new regional director for the Middle East as it looks to build on double digit sales growth in the first quarter of 2012.

The luxury car maker said Geoffrey Briscoe has joined the company as regional director, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

In his previous role he was president for BMW Group in Malaysia, Rolls-Royce said in a statement.

It said Briscoe has worked with several premium brands and also owned motor vehicle dealerships.

Prior to his last position, Briscoe was sales director for BMW Group Australia. He replaces James Crichton, who has been appointed regional director, Europe.

Jolyon Nash, director, Sales and Marketing, said: "With his extensive experience, I am confident that he is ideally suited to further develop on the impressive results that have been achieved by James Crichton over the past two years."

Last year the Middle East region played an important role in securing the company's most successful year since it was founded 108 years ago.

Three out of the top ten selling dealers were from the region and bespoke enjoyed the highest revenue per vehicle globally.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia were the fourth and fifth biggest markets for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2011.

This success was driven by demand for the Phantom Series I in its final year and the launch of the new Ghost Extended Wheelbase.

The company revealed record sales results for 2011 with a total of 3,538 cars sold globally, a 31 percent increase on the 2010 total of 2,711 cars.

Sales figures for the Middle East rose by 23 percent in the past year, the company said, adding that the UAE registered 32 percent growth.