• EPYX has made two new appointments to help with the development of the software developers' 1link product range. Richard Phipps and Jolyon Wharton both have extensive experience in the IT industry, Phipps since the age of 16, while Wharton has been an independent developer for the past eight years.

  • NICHOLAS Bessent has been appointed as business development manager with Benchmark Leasing, a member of the Lex Vehicle Partnership. Bessent brings past experience in the insurance industry as the company moves into larger premises in Park Street, Windsor as part of the expansion taking place over the next 18 months.

  • TRAINING and management consultancy People Focus (Europe) has appointed two new consultants. Paul Elder has held sales and management positions with companies such as Sytner, Whichford and Dick Lovett. Garry Clayton spent the last nine years with JCT600 developing its Mazda business and, most recently, held the post of general manager.

  • MIDLAND Expressway (MEL) has appointed five new members to its management team. The company responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the M6 toll road, has made these appointments ahead of the road opening, due in January 2004. James Hodson takes on the role of motorway operations manager and John Sandland is appointed as finance director. Other new roles are Andrew Houldcroft as IT manager, Peter Robinson as personnel and office manager. The new assistant personnel and administration manager is Julie Spence. The UK's first toll motorway takes a route off the existing M6 between junctions four and 11.

  • ROSPA'S chief driving examiner, Bob Smalley, has been elected chairman of the Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers (AIRSO). He was formerly chief superintendent in charge of motorway and traffic policing in the West Midlands, and has been in his current role with RoSPA since 1990.

  • SHANE Golder has been promoted to fleet sales manager by Thrifty Car Rental. He was previously fleet sales executive and now takes responsibility for marketing the company's products and services to its franchisee network. Reporting to fleet director, John Ryan, he works alongside Sharon Barclay and Matt Anning at Thrifty's headquarters in High Wycombe. Anning has also been promoted from his role as international supervisor to that of fleet sales executive. Both he and Barclay report to Golder.

  • MANHEIM Auctions has made two appointments in its vehicle inspection services division. Brian Bull, who has been with the company seven years, becomes general manager responsible for the company's electronic appraisal system, D-fleet. Reporting to Bull is Ken Rumney. His new role of support manager gives him care of the day-to-day development of D-fleet.