Senior traffic commissioner Beverley Bell has been inaugurated as president of the Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport. Key issues raised in her speech included: the sector's skills gap; its poor profile – given the huge revenues it generates for the UK's economy; and the need to challenge stereotypes around lorry drivers.
Fiona Kerr, managing director of First Glasgow, has won the 2015 FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Woman of the Year Award. Other winners included: Jenny Hooper, managing director of Independent Freight, who took the Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Asda Logistics Services; and Kerryn Hedley, of Reading Buses, who won the Driver of the Year Award.
FTA director of global and European policy Chris Welsh has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list for services to shippers and the shipping industry.
Martijn Gilbert is CILT's new young professional forum chair, focusing on CILT members under 35 years old by providing professional development, network opportunities and a unified voice in the industry. Gilbert has been an active member of the Institute for nearly seven years and has served on the Wales National Committee and the Young Professionals Committee since 2010.
Jacqueline O'Donovan, managing director of London waste management specialist O'Donovan Waste Disposal, has won the Institute of Directors (IoD) Family Business Director of the Year award for London and the South East. O'Donovan received her award at the IoD's headquarters on Pall Mall, London. She will now represent the London and South East region at the national ceremony later in the year.
Giti Tire has appointed Richard Hutchins to the new role of senior product marketing manager for Europe, for its truck and bus division. Hutchins – who spent 25 years with Goodyear – will focus on new product development, strategy and on expanding OE and replacement business for Giti's truck and bus tyres, including the Radial and Primewell brands, reporting to Peter Foulkes, marketing director for Europe.
Mick Glover is taking on the role of used remarketing manager for Mercedes-Benz Vans, looking after the team handing wholesale and retail sales. He also heads up sales administration, defleet and logistics, dealer targeting and RV portfolio management, reporting to managing director Steve Bridge.
Thomas Kiefer has joined vehicle test, validation and engineering services organisation Millbrook's international team. He has more than 35 years' experience, including eight as vehicle line chief engineer at General Motors. Meanwhile, Arnaud Boulanger has been promoted ot chief operating officer for test and engineering; Kirsty Andrew becomes general manager for special vehicles; and Carl Field becomes director of vehicle conversions;
Mike Nicholson is Supertrucks' new business development manager. He was formerly group transport manager for furniture group Steinhoff UK.
George Georgiou is returning to his roots in the South West after spending the past two years helping heavy-duty vehicle lift specialist Totalkare expand its range of services. He reports to James Radford, Totalkare sales and marketing director.
Buffaload Logistics, the Cambridgeshire-based double-deck trailer specialist has appointed Ryan Smyth as rental manager to oversee the company's expanding temperature controlled and ambient trailer rental fleet.
Sarah Palfreyman has been promoted to network operations manager at Mercedes-Benz Vans, replacing Angela Joyes, who is now pursuing her career outside he firm. Formerly with Porsche GB, she is responsible for business management and the implementation of the Van ProCenter Dealer Excellence Programme.
Alastair Munro is Optare's new engineering director, bringing more than 30 years experience in engineering management and product development in the bus, coach and commercial vehicle industry – including 15 years in Volvo Truck and Bus where he was responsible for product introduction, launch and market adaptation, and five years within the Plaxton/Blue Bird organisation. Meanwhile, Nigel Davis has joined Optare's expanding sales team as regional business development manager covering London and the south of England.
Mahle Aftermarket has appointed Joanne Nuttall as category manager in its product team. She joins the company from Delphi and brings product development and sales strategy experience. She reports to managing director Jonathan Walker.
Andy Walker joins Q8Oils in its automotive team as area sales manager for the south of England. He brings 30 years experience in passenger cars, commercial vehicles, automotive refinishing systems, vehicle components and on board telemetry systems.
Dhruv Parekh has joined Masternaut as CEO from Capstone, where he worked with technology companies around the globe to drive growth programmes. Parekh will focus on leveraging Masternaut's technology platform to bring innovation and value to the commercial fleet market through telematics.
Pirelli has made two appointments to its UK truck department. Dean Burrells (south east) and Alan Young (north and Scotland) have joined Pirelli as fleet sales managers. Burrells is responsible for promoting and developing Pirelli Truck and the management system that allows users to monitor tyre usage. Young is looking after business development in haulage as well as increasing sales to the independent dealer network.