Duncan takes helm at National Lottery firm Camelot

Former Channel 4 boss Andy Duncan has quit the motor trade just a year after his surprise move to run luxury car dealer HR Owen.

He will take over next month as UK managing director at Camelot, meaning he will have responsibility for the National Lottery and its 700 staff.

Duncan joined Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealer HR Owen last October in a shock switch away from television, where he was head of Channel 4 for five years.

HR Owen hailed his appointment last year as a “real coup” given his track record in general management, marketing and sales. His departure was announced yesterday alongside a warning from the company that market conditions have deteriorated due to turmoil in financial markets.