VAUXHALL has announced a fundamental restructuring of its fleet department, with a series of new appointments reporting into fleet director Maurice Howkins. Darren Payne becomes national fleet sales manager, responsible for fleets of 100 to 600 vehicles, and has three regional fleet sales managers reporting into him.

The retirement of Mike Bonner in September sees Bob Cosby become global and pan-European sales manager, while Jonathan Akeroyd is heading to Detroit to focus on General Motors' global fleet sales development. Ian Hucker will replace Akeroyd as national van sales manager.

Bob MacLachlan takes over as national corporate sales and development manager responsible for fleets of 600-plus vehicles, as well as Government and police fleets. And in September Alison Thornton will become national leasing and affinity sales manager.

The sub-100 vehicle fleet sector will have a different reporting line, allied more closely to retail sales. Richard Keats will lead a new business unit focused on smaller fleets, based on Vauxhall's business centre philosophy.

He will report into Keith Michaels, national retail and business sales manager, who will retain his responsibility for sales operations, while taking responsibility for North American vehicles, Vauxhall Rental and DualFuel. Michaels will also join the Vauxhall Masterhire operating committee.