Dawsongroup announces new head of ZEV strategy and development

Dawsongroup Vans has named Sarah Gray as its new head of ZEV strategy and development.

The appointment follows a successful year within the electric vehicle (EV) rental industry, with the company achieving an average EV utilisation of 96%.

In addition to supporting customers make the switch to EVs, Dawsongroup’s team of net zero experts, Team Target Zero, has created a range of EV-related resources, including EV driving guides and maintenance help sheets.

Looking to the future, Dawsongroup wanted to continue to build on this early success, and a head of ZEV was the natural next step, it said.

Simon Ridley, managing director of Dawsongroup Vans, said: “We’re delighted to have Sarah on board as we continue to grow our ZEV strategy.

“We have had a lot of success with zero emission vehicles to date and we have full confidence that Sarah will now lead the continued growth in this area.”

Gray will be responsible for developing the Dawsongroup ZEV strategies, ensuring that all projects consider the impact of ZEV.

Alongside supporting Team Target Zero in developing more insightful resources, she will also play an important role in managing the acquisition and onboarding of new zero emission vehicles.

She said: “I am excited to join Dawsongroup vans at this pivotal time. Our industry is experiencing massive change, and I think there is a huge opportunity for the smaller fleets and SMEs to make the switch through Dawsongroup’s smarter asset strategy.

“I am thrilled to bring my knowledge and experience to support our customers with these changes.”

VisionTrack names Ben Pickard as new CEO

VisionTrack has appointed Ben Pickard as chief executive officer, replacing former CEO Simon Marsh who has left the business by mutual consent.

The move follows a restructure of VisionTrack to facilitate the increased demand of their digital platform.

Kevin Spencer, CEO of Markerstudy Group, parent company of VisionTrack, said: “We are really excited to endorse our commitment to developing this multi-award winning, cutting-edge organisation.

“The new team and platform are well positioned to take the company to the next stage.

“I would like to congratulate Ben, and thank Simon for his commitment to the growth of the business and passion for road safety.

Pickard added: “I relish the challenge of taking over from Simon and carrying on the good work.

“Embracing the latest advances in machine learning and computer vision and knowing we are making a difference to the safety of all road users is what gets me out of bed in the morning. “Technology is at the heart of the VisionTrack platform and success, and I am committed to ensuring we remain a market leader in this sector, transforming commercial fleet safety with our sophisticated industry-leading IoT platform, Autonomise.ai, and AI video telematics solutions.”

VisionTrack estimates that their technology reduces insurance costs by an average of £2,000 per claim detected.

Aston Barclay appoints five new buyer service execs

Aston Barclay has expanded its buyer services team to build its buyer base as used car and LCV volumes going under the hammer continue to rise.

Five people have been appointed as buyer service executives across the group’s six auction sites.

Charlotte Knowles will oversee both the Wakefield and Leeds LCV sites and has over 12 years of experience in the vehicle remarketing sector, joining Aston Barclay two years ago from Manheim, where she worked for over 10 years as vendor account manager.

Elsewhere, Naomi Newman has joined the Prees Heath team to support the Shropshire-based site.

Laura Daws, Jo Normoyle and Leanne Lewis have also joined the respective auction teams at Donington, Chelmsford and Westbury in their newly created roles.

As well as building and retaining strong relationships with its current dealer and fleet buyer community, the new team is forging new relationships with EV buyers as part of Aston Barclay’s goal of becoming a trusted EV remarketing partner.

They are also working to enhance the buyer base to accommodate the growing volumes of used LCVs going under the hammer at Leeds, Donington, Chelmsford and Westbury.

New director of remarketing

The expansion of the buyer services team comes with the appointment of Gordon Cockle to director of remarketing.

Cockle, who joined the business in 2017, will oversee buyer engagement and remarketing across Aston Barclay.

He said: “Relationships are at the core of our business, so we are thrilled to announce the appointment of our new buyer services team, who, alongside my new role, will be integral in helping us create a smoother customer experience for our buyers.”

Global supply chain consultancy appoints executive director

Scala has appointed a new executive director to help drive the business’ future direction and strategic growth.  

With an extensive resume spanning roles at organisations from DHL and Galderma to Sika and Deloitte, Scott Whiffin brings a wealth of supply chain experience, says Scala.

He also brings valuable business acumen to global supply chain and logistics consultancy’s existing executive team, developed through previous leadership positions as supply chain director at Karcher, and most recently as chief operating officer at Hib. 

At Scala, he will be involved in strategic decision-making to support long-term business sustainability, as well as being responsible for building client and prospect relationships.

He will also apply his expertise to manage various consulting projects, helping clients enhance their existing and future supply chain operations.

He said: “I'm delighted to have joined such an exciting and progressive business, which is committed to putting people at the heart of its operations as a newly formed Employee Ownership Trust.

“Scala has a customer-first culture and delivers real business benefits, from helping clients to implement greener supply chain practices to enabling them to enhance their profitability. 

“Businesses have experienced a turbulent few years which have impacted their supply chains and logistics in turn. But the pace of change, driven by factors from the environment to technology, will only continue to accelerate over the next decade. I’m looking forward to working alongside the Scala team to help clients navigate changing business requirements, tackle future industry challenges, and remain competitive.”

John Perry, chief executive at Scala, added: “Having gathered extensive supply chain experience and insight across different sectors throughout his impressive career to date, Scott will help us further enhance this work and continue to deliver excellence for clients.

“He will play an extremely valuable role in aiding our growth and helping us to advise clients on how their supply chain and logistics can best accommodate the future needs of their business.”

Adesa UK names Grainne van Berkum as its new president

Adesa UK has appointed of Grainne van Berkum as the company’s new president to take charge of managing the UK and European business.

She will also be responsible for driving growth across the organisation’s digital marketplace.

Srisu Subrahmanyam, president, services and international markets and European vice president of operations at Openlane, said: “With three decades of automotive and leadership experience — most recently advancing the digital transformation of automotive marketplaces across Europe — Grainne is a skilled and successful operator who drives results.

“Her flexible thinking, growth mindset and deep customer relationships will further accelerate growth in our UK and European marketplace while delivering positive outcomes for both our customers and our company.

“I am looking forward to what our team will accomplish for our customers with Grainne at the helm.”

Prior to joining Openlane, she served as managing director and chief operating officer at CarNext, where she was responsible for B2B sales, sourcing strategy and managing multiple teams across Europe.

Previously, she completed a long tenure at LeasePlan where she held various positions of progressive leadership and responsibility in both Ireland and the Netherlands, focusing on digital remarketing and asset value growth in more than 30 countries.

She said: “I am excited to be joining a great team at Adesa Europe at an unprecedented time of change in the automotive industry.”

The APC announces new IT Director

APC delivery network has announced its appointment of a new IT Director, Sem Mahi. 

Mahi joined the business over 10 years ago initially on a consultancy basis, taking up a permanent position as IT infrastructure manager back in 2014, and most recently held the role of head of infrastructure and information security. 

Since joining The APC, with the support of the business, the APC said he has successfully led on a number of key IT initiatives and implementations including the company’s adoption of cloud infrastructure technologies and its suite of integrated applications, the development of cyber security and risk management strategies in addition to enhancements in service delivery management. 

In his new role, he will be overseeing the leadership of The APC’s IT department and the IT support and systems it offers to its depots and customers across the UK.

Jonathan Smith, chief executive of The APC, said: “Sem has excelled in his career with The APC and has made a significant impact over the last 10 years to his immediate colleagues and the wider business community. His appointment to The APC leadership team is thoroughly deserved.

“Our people are our most important asset and we are constantly working to create outstanding leadership for the present and future. Employees like Sem are the future of our business and we remain committed to investing in our people, to provide our customers with the best possible service.”

Mahi said: "I'm thrilled to drive forward our IT agenda, building upon our already strong foundations, so that we can continue to deliver unparalleled value to our SME customers and help them achieve sustainable growth."

Andy Taylor will remain as a company director at The APC, with responsibility for providing strategic support to the business.

During his time as network and IT director, he helped to strengthen the business’ IT capabilities, introducing new systems such as New Horizon (customer booking platform), APC Direct (online booking website) and Parcelly (click and collect solution), to enhance The APC’s service offering and end-to-end customer experience. 

Smith said: “I am incredibly proud of what Andy has accomplished over the last eight years, and I am pleased that Andy will remain a valued member of our directorship, helping to continue shaping the future of The APC.”

Natasha Grice joins Transport Focus leadership team

Natasha Grice has taken up the post of director at Transport Focus.

She joins Transport Focus from her current post of interim head of customer strategy at Chiltern Railways.

Her refreshing viewpoint and credibility, as well as a real drive and determination, will help Transport Focus make a difference for transport users, said the watchdog.

The role helps make up a new-look senior leadership team at Transport Focus. Led by Alex Robertson as chief executive, the team also includes Louise Collins (director), David Sidebottom (director, nations and regions) and Nigel Holden (chief operating officer).

Announcing the appointment, Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: “I am delighted that Natasha will be joining the Transport Focus senior leadership team. 

“Natasha will bring a new perspective and a wide range of hands-on experiences to the organisation.

“Alongside the recent appointment of Louise Collins as a director, Natasha’s appointment will strengthen our top team, as Transport Focus seeks to become more effective in representing today’s and tomorrow’s transport users.”

Grice added: “I am very excited to be joining Transport Focus as part of the senior leadership team. Putting transport users at the heart of decision making is something I feel passionate about.

“This role is a great opportunity, and I can’t wait to meet the team and help shape the future of Transport Focus.”

Prior to her current position, Grice spent over twenty years on the West Coast Mainline with the majority of that time with Virgin Trains.

Carrying out various roles from the frontline to the boardroom she has focused on both customer and people throughout her career.