People moves for January 201005 January 2010

Evans faces European challenge
New responsibility beckons for the CEO of MAN UK Des Evans after he was promoted to head of business development for new and used truck sales in the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia. Evans has held his current position for the past six years during which time he has overseen the integration of the ERF business unit, streamlined the dealer network and restructured sales and aftersales operations.

Part of Evans' time in his new role will involve undertaking a research study at Cranfield University, which aims to develop a more sustainable service-led business model for MAN. "I was delighted to be involved in recent years as CEO," comments Evans. "However, the strategic operational changes now taking place in MAN have presented me with a great opportunity to move on to another, even bigger challenge."

Regional sales responsibility for Patterson
Renault Trucks has a new regional sales manager for used vehicles with the appointment of Mark Patterson to the role. Working primarily with the company's Truckplus used vehicle dealers in the northern UK, Patterson will also support Mike Finney, general sales manager for used vehicles, in developing the Truckplus brand nationwide.
The former MAN ERF UK employee joins Renault Trucks after selling his own business that dealt in commercial vehicle sales and rental, in 2009. "I am looking forward to working for Renault Trucks UK and helping to develop what is already a very professional used truck operation," says Patterson. "Used Renault commercial vehicles are gaining an increasing reputation in the UK market for quality and productivity at a competitive price and I will be working closely with the UK dealer network, particularly in the North, to develop further opportunities for the brand."

Sales manager appointed
Jon Juxon has been appointed sales director of BRS Ltd, the truck rental, contract hire, and driver and fleet management services company. He joins the company from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), and assumes the role previously held by Mark Barton, who departed BRS early in the month.
In his previous position at RBS, Juxon worked in the automotive fleet business, where he had responsibility for the management of the corporate sales team, a role that involved developing car fleet management, and dealing with purchase and disposal programs for the bank's corporate clients. At BRS, he is tasked with developing the company's contract hire business, together with his team of seven national account and retail salespeople.

Graduation for Barron
Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres' plant manager, Brian Barron, has graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a degree in world class manufacturing management. Part of the Vacu-Lug team for 14 years, the degree represents the company's commitment to ensuring its staff receive the correct amount and type of training outside the work environment. According to Barron, the three-year course, supported by Vacu-Lug, allowed him to "benchmark our performance, and I can confidently say that we are now assured Vacu-Lug is right up there with the best in any manufacturing field."

Well-deserved rest for Scania stalwarts
Bob Rossiter, coach sales executive for Northern England at Scania has taken early retirement, following nearly 20 years' service for the Truck manufacturer. Beginning his Scania career 18 years ago at the Stuart Johnson dealership in Worksop, Rossiter served the company through the takeover by Scania CV AB, and the subsequent integration into the operations of Scania (Great Britain).
In his retirement, Rossiter says he has plenty of travel planned, both in the UK and beyond. Until a replacement is announced, any enquires can be directed to Scania's Bus and Coach centre at Worksop.
In other Scania people news, Jim Boyce, a salesman covering Somerset and part of Avon is retiring, having been with the company since 1983. The IRTE member plans to take life a little easier, spending time on the golf course as well as in his second home in Spain. Offers on consultancy have also come in and he warns that he is not disappearing completely from the industry. Boyce's role will be filled by Paul Faramus who was previously involved in Scania Truck's rental business.

ACEA names new chairman for 2010
President and CEO of Volvo Group, Leif Johansson has been appointed the 2010 chairman of the European Automobile Manufacturer's Association's (ACEA) Commercial Vehicle board. Johansson takes over from his opposite number at Scania AB, Leif Östling, who assumed the role for 2009. "The commercial vehicle sector is affected more than many other industries by the economic crisis," he said on the appointment. "And we need policy makers to understand and address the situation. I look forward to further deepening our dialogue with the European Institutions on behalf of the European truck, van and bus manufacturing industry."

Author
John Challen

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