Ian Jones, a director of Backhouse Jones and a leading transport lawyer, has joined the governing body of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), the umbrella organisation of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE). Jones specialised in representing PCV and HGV operators early in his legal career, before co-founding Backhouse Jones in 2000.
SOE has nominated Peter Scanlon for the Chartered Environmentalist of the Year Award 2014. Among Scanlon's most recent projects has been the lead role in bringing electric vehicles to his employer Skanska's fleet.
Brigade Electronics chairman Chris Hanson-Abbott, has been awarded an OBE for his services to vehicle road safety. He formed Brigade in 1976, launching his first reversing alarm at the 1976 Commercial Vehicle show in London.
Dr Eckhard Scholz, currently speaker for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles board, has been appointed chairman. Joachim Rothenpieler is the new board member for technical development.
Ryder has strengthened its sales and business development teams with four appointments. James Walker, former managing director of BRS, is sales director for own account; Stephen Jones, ex contract hire sales director at Iveco, becomes business development director for new and strategic markets; Andy Walker, previously with Ryder's fleet maintenance division, moves up to national account manager for own account contracts; and Brian Jenkins, ex of GE Capital, is new national account manager.
Optare has appointed Tim Matthews UK retail sales manager, reporting to UK sales director John Horn. He was formerly materials manager for Optare's Rotherham site.
Ex-marine Steve Nixon has been appointed national sales manager for vehicle conspicuity at Rennicks UK, where he will use his experience on the front line with the emergency services.
Cenex, the UK's first centre of excellence for low carbon technologies, has appointmented Keith Budde new head of business development. He was previously with E.On, where he led the development of sustainable city partnerships in the South of the UK.
