(Sharecast News) - Automotive retailer Vertu said on Tuesday that it had tapped Bruce Clark for the newly created role of chief technology officer.

Clark, Vertu's IT director for the last two years, will now take up a place on the group's CEO committee, marking a further step-change in the company's focus on technology strategy.

The AIM-listed group added that further recruitment will now commence to fill Clark's previous role and for a new head of data.

Chief executive Robert Forrester said: "Vertu has long led the sector from a technology perspective, as illustrated by our offering full online sales of used cars ahead of anyone else back in 2017, and these changes will equip Vertu with the necessary skills and strategies to drive our omnichannel offering into the next decade and beyond."

As of 0955 BST, Vertu shares were up 1.21% at 58.70p.