07/07/2026
Award-winning automotive retailer Vertu has announced that James Boyd will take on leadership of its Land Rover retailers in the North West of England.
James brings nearly two decades of experience to the role having launched his career in the industry as a Sales Executive at what was then Hillendale Land Rover in Bolton back in 2008.
Rising through the ranks to Sales Manager, James then joined the Vertu Motors Group when it acquired the Hillendale dealership and moved into the position of Head of Business at the site in 2014.
During his time in the role, James helped to oversee the relocation of the dealership to its current home on Kay Street following a £10m investment back in 2018, and helped to establish Vertu Land Rover Bolton as one of the largest and most profitable sites in the Group’s extensive portfolio, which encompasses nearly 200 sales outlets across the UK.
Having also held the role of Franchise Director, which saw him responsible for leading the Land Rover division, James has continued to be the driving force behind the ongoing success of the Bolton dealership, which was named as Used Car Retailer of the Year at the Jaguar Land Rover Retail Awards for a second time earlier this year.
As part of his expanded role, James will also take on responsibility for Vertu’s Land Rover dealership in Nelson, which is located around 25 miles away along the M65 corridor.
Like Bolton, the Nelson dealership - located on Lomeshaye Business Park - has secured multiple awards through the years and will now benefit from James’s leadership expertise going forwards.
Whilst James will oversee both dealerships as Market Area Manager, a new General Manager will be appointed to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Nelson site in due course.
James Boyd, Market Area Manager Vertu Land Rover, said: “I’m hugely proud to have been asked to oversee the Vertu Land Rover Nelson site as we look to strengthen our position in the region.
“Both dealerships have a key role to play in the ongoing success of our wider Land Rover division and with the effort and dedication of colleagues in both Nelson and Bolton, I’m looking forward to further success across the North West going forwards.”
Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu, said: “James has a strong track record of success and a deep understanding of both the Land Rover brand and the wider automotive market, so we are delighted to announce this expansion to his role.
“This move will strengthen the leadership across our two dealerships in the region and encourage greater collaboration, helping ensure that we continue to deliver an outstanding premium experience for customers old and new.”
Award-winning automotive retailer Vertu has announced that James Boyd will take on leadership of its Land Rover retailers in the North West of England.
