SPORTSMAN James Warne has been appointed franchise manager of Nidd Vale Seat, Harrogate's newest motor franchise.

James, who has 21 years business experience in both the motor and sports retail sectors, joined Nidd Vale as a business manager in May 2004 before being promoted.

He ran his own sports business in Leeds for 13 years before moving to the motor trade, and has since held a number of sales posts with Yorkshire-based dealerships involved with both premium and volume marques, winning top salesman awards on several occasions.

James, who represented Yorkshire at junior level in both athletics and cross country, is a keen golfer and a member of Harrogate Golf Club. He has also played squash for Yorkshire and cricket for both the county's second XI and for Beckwithshaw Cricket Club.

The Seat franchise is one of four Nidd Vale operations in Harrogate and Wetherby, the others being Vauxhall, Saab and Mazda franchises. as well as an aftersales and bodyshop facility on Hornbeam Park, Harrogate.

The group, which now employs 150 people and had a turnover in 2002 of about £62 million, was acquired in a management buy out, led by Colin Hainstock, in July 2003.

Updated: 09:44 Tuesday, March 08, 2005