Dr Harald Ludanek is the new board member responsible for technical development at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. He is currently a member of the Scania executive board and executive vice president, and head of R&D. Ludanek, who holds a PhD in mechanical engineering and has been with the group since 1992, succeeds Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler, who takes over as head of quality assurance in VW Group.
Gary Stephenson has joined Cartwright Group as engineering manager for its conversions division. He has more than 16 years industry experience, including four years with the MoD, where he worked on special vehicles and international projects. He has also worked for a number of companies involved in the conversions sector in the south and north of England and has experience of a wide range of vehicles from single and double deck buses to fire engines and ambulances.
Isuzu Truck (UK) has appointed John Seddon fleet sales manager for the Midlands region, reporting to national fleet sales manager Martin Bragg. Seddon has worked for many years in VW and Mercedes-Benz UK truck and van dealer networks, most recently as brand manager at the Volkswagen Van Centre in Cheltenham.
Hiab has appointed Sebastian Poccard to the position of senior vice president, sales and markets, with responsibility for leading and driving sales and service excellence, and developing dealer management relations. He has 20 years of international business experience, joining Hiab from Husqvarna and reporting direct to Roland Sundén, president of Hiab.
Ian Jamieson has joined Ryder as FleetCare maintenance manager for Scotland and North of England. He brings more than 40 years experience in logistics, truck rental and contract hire management, as well as health and safety and Driver CPC training. Jamieson is now responsible for third-party maintenance control and management, covering trucks and trailers.
Richard Birt has been appointed bus and coach account manager for the South West for Scania (GB), succeeding Richard Sear, who has now retired. He has a strong background in sales and aftersales in Scania's South West region and now reports to Tony Tomsett, bus, coach and engine sales director for Scania.
Tim Meadows is the new director of account management at epyx, the fleet and dealer e-commerce platforms specialist. He spent 11 years at LeasePlan, most recently as brand director for the automotive leasing public sector division. Prior to that, he was at Lombard, Custom Fleet and Lex.