Michael Ball, a former managing director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland and a vice president of Volvo Bus, passed away on 2 November 2016 after a period of illness. Ball spent more than 30 years in the business before taking early retirement in 2012, and was a well-known and well liked figure in the industry.
Commercial vehicle contract hire specialist Asset Alliance has appointed Paul Wright to the new post of senior business development manager. He assumes the role after a year as national account director at TOM Vehicle Rental, having previously worked at Ryder, firstly as business development director, and subsequently as national accounts director.
He started his career at TIP Trailer Rental, before moving to Transamerica Trailer Leasing in May 1995 as divisional sales director. In 2002, he joined Hill Hire as business development director, before the company was acquired by Ryder in 2011.
The new role sees Wright focused on growing Asset Alliance’s newly launched Flexi-Hire rental division, as the company develops a suite of flexible medium- to long-term commercial vehicle rental package options.
MiX Telematics has made several appointments and expanded its partner network in response to growing demand across Europe.
Richard Adams, who becomes UK country director responsible for sales operations, has spent 15 years in telematics, spanning truck, bus and coach, light commercial vehicles and car systems.
Luigi Maraffi has been promoted to head of European sales, moving up from his post as channel manager responsible for pan-European and key global accounts based in Europe, as well as developing sales throughout continental Europe.
Gavin Lancaster sees promotion to head of professional services for Europe and North Africa, having formerly played an active part in developing the scope and range of the company's consultancy services.
Jonathan Bates is the new marketing director for Europe and North Africa, moving up from product marketing manager at MiX Telematics, and now responsible for defining and implementing the company's marketing and solutions strategies.
Carole Dauguet is now senior business development manager, having spent the last nine years in the telematics industry as an engineer in France.
And Alexandra Szanyo has been appointed senior business development manager at Mix Telematics, having moved from working as a partner to the comapny to becoming a key account manager for the company's customers across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary.
Dave Hockton, senior operations manager at MIRA Technology Park, has been made a director at UKSPA (the United Kingdom Science Park Association), which is the authoritative body on planning, development and creation of science parks. He has been an active member of the organisation for several years and intends to raise awareness of MIRA Technology Park and other independent science and technology parks across the country.”
Tyre pressure monitoring specialist TyrePal has appointed Steve Coffin its new operations director. Coffin was formerly marketing and operations director for MiX Telematics Europe, responsible for maintenance and sales to existing clients, while also handling marketing across Europe.
Matthew Pickering, of Samworth Brothers Supply Chain, was named the overall winner of the inaugural FTA Driver of the Year 2016 competition, in London, on 2 November 2016. He won the Truck Driver of the Year 44-tonne competition, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Trucks in July, beating 19 other finalists.
Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) has restructure its senior management team following the launch of its German division and implementation of the impending EU Roadworthiness Act.
Company founder and owner John Ellis becomes chief executive, while Matthew Mardle, who joined the business earlier this year as operations director, takes the title of chief operating officer. Kevin Ryan maintains the specialist product development and client advisor role as chief technical officer, and Clive Maudsley becomes chief financial officer. Finally, Michael Payton remains marketing director.
Irizar UK has promoted Julie Hartley to business development director. She joined Irizar UK in 2014 as business development manager and is now well-known to coach operators throughout the UK.
Marshall Fleet Solutions has appointed industry stalwart Nigel Jupp its training manager, heading up a three-strong team covering its Marshall Thermo King transport refrigeration, Marshall tail-lift and Marshall fleet management divisions.
Reporting to HR manager Mascha Pond, he as formerly technical training manager at tail-lift manufacturer Dhollandia, and was recently employed by West Anglia Training Association as lecturer in mechanical maintenance engineering.
Simon Franklin has joined automotive warranty specialist The Warranty Group, as head of automotive sales operations Europe. He has a 20-year track record in the software industry, most recently as senior director of data analytics and tools enablement at Veritas Technologies and, prior to that, as senior director of global sales and marketing operations at Symantec Corporation.
The FTA’s (Freight Transport Association) Member Advice Centre has expanded with three new transport advisors. They are Hannah Fairfield, Laura Edwards and Alan Rose. Each reports to Es Shepherd, head of FTA Member Advice.