Gowan Distributors Limited, Peugeot Importers in Ireland has announced three key personnel appointments for 2017.

Sean Weir has been appointed National Fleet Sales Manager, while Stephen McGrath has filled a new Product and Pricing Manager role. Alan Kilroy, has been promoted internally to Head of Finance. The appointments come at a time when the lion-brand prepares to introduce the much-anticipated new Peugeot 3008 and 5008 SUVs to the Irish market.

Sean Weir comes to the company with a wealth of over 25 years' experience within the motor industry, having spent the last 12 years with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Ireland Ltd where his responsibilities spanned used cars, then light commercial vehicles sales, then Fleet operations, culminating in his appointment as National Fleet Sales Manager, five years ago. Married, with 3 children, Sean is an avid sports fan. He replaces Kevin Sweeney, who retires this year, following a glittering 29-year long career at Gowan Group.

Stephen McGrath has over ten years' proven experience in the motor industry, specialising in product and pricing. He began his motor industry career at Motor Distributors Limited, where he spent over two years working on VW, Audi and Skoda product and pricing portfolios, before moving to Volkswagen Group Ireland. Dublin born and based and a Bachelor of Business Studies 1st Class Honours student, he also holds a Diploma in Project Management. With a passion for the motor industry, Stephen is keenly interested in new developments in autonomous driving, mobility and connected services. He takes up the new Product and Pricing Manager role at a time when the company prepares for the arrival of the eagerly-awaited new Peugeot 3008 SUV, this February and new Peugeot 5008 SUV in May.

Alan Kilroy, has been promoted from Financial Controller to Head of Finance in the company, following David Brennan's recent retirement and a 20-year reign at Gowan Distributors. Alan, from Tipperary, holds a BComm from UCD, trained as a chartered accountant in Grant Thornton and qualified in 2004. Previous experience includes working at the Commonwealth Bank in Sydney and at Deloitte in New York. Alan joined Gowan Group as the Group Accountant in 2005, before moving to Gowan Distributors in 2013. Recently married to Amber, he is a keen golfer, cyclist and sports fan.

Des Cannon, Managing Director at Gowan Distributors said, "I am delighted to announce Alan's promotion and it is clear that Sean and Stephen's wealth of experience and industry knowledge has made them key additions to the Gowan family. Our exciting new product arriving in 2017 and the increasing demand from our customers, for the award-winning Peugeot range, has led us to look for additional members to our team and these appointments are a clear demonstration of our continued commitment to growing the Peugeot brand in Ireland. We were very fortunate to find people of this calibre to fulfil these roles and I wish them each much success here at Gowan Distributors."