High-flying technician Harry Garraway has been chosen to represent VW Commercial Vehicles the Skills Show, being staged at the NEC in Birmingham from 17—19 November. Currently working at Heritage Volkswagen Van Centre Bristol, he is one of only six technicians in the UK to reach the final.
MAN Truck & Bus UK sales executive Chris Clee has returned to his home territory, with Llangollen dealership AN Richards, after a spell in Italy. He joined MAN in 2005 and stayed until he moved to Arbuzzo, Italy in 2011.
Andrew Livingstone has joined MAN from Renault, joining MAN Truck & Bus Manchester as a sales executive.
Cartwright apprentice Josh Redfern is in the running for a top accolade at this year’s EEF Future Manufacturing Awards, having made the shortlist for the EEF Final Year Apprentice Award after completing his four-year apprenticeship. If successful, he will compete with other regional winners from across the UK for the national title.
Bill Jackson, originator and first editor of Fleet News, has died aged 77. Bill, who hailed from the Wirral, was instrumental in creating a focus for the corporate fleet market. "Bill was a visionary and had an uncanny ability to spot niches,” says nephew Ross Jackson, CEO of Fleet Operations.
Torsten Gehrmann has been appointed senior managing director Europe by Giti Tire. He keeps his position as CEO of Giti Auto Parts Pte. Gehrmann originally moved to Giti Tire from Continental in 2009. In 2014 he became vice president for Europe and Asia to Dura Automotive Systems, and at the beginning of 2016, CEO for Giti Auto.
O&H Vehicle Conversions has appointed chartered management accountant Martyn Archer as managing director. He brings over 20 years’ experience gained in senior business leadership positions in a spread of organisations.
Commercial vehicle contract hire, finance, rental and leasing business Asset Alliance has appointed David Potter commercial development director. He was formerly managing director of fleet management and contract hire company Axis Fleet Management.
Krone has appointed Graham Macmillan as area sales manager, joining the UK trailer team. He brings experience from senior sales and service roles in both the tractor and trailer supply sectors, having started his career as CV technician.
BYD's UK operation has appointed Frank Thorpe as country manager. He joins from GKN Hybrid Power (formerly Williams Hybrid Power) where for he was head of bus systems. He created Gyrodrive as a business unit offering hybrid products in the bus sector, securing orders worth £14 million across customers including Go-Ahead, Stagecoach and First Group. Earlier in his career, Thorpe gained experience of bus and coach operations when, with brother Jim, he took over as joint managing director at family firm FE Thorpe & Sons, in West London.
FTA’s Van Excellence has appointed Julie Davies, fleet and plant compliance manager at Amey, as its new chair of the FTA’s Governance Group. Comprising van operators, the group steers the Van Excellence scheme by providing advice on standards and integrity.
Fleet software provider Chevin Fleet Solutions has recruited Amjad Razak as its new software support team leader.