LATEST appointments in the fleet industry.

  • EXPERIENCED Ford executive Nigel Sharp has returned to the UK to head up Ford of Britain’s sales team. He replaces Morten Hannesbo, who is now managing director of Ford Switzerland. Sharp has held a number of senior finance, sales and marketing positions across Europe for Ford, including managing director of Ford’s operations in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Switzerland.

  • THE new business development director (north) at SEL-Imperial is Richard Miles. He joins the replacement parts and repair firm from Aquilo Motor Services, where he was technical service manager, and has also worked for ABS bodyshops and Miller Fisher, where he was head of engineering services.

  • VAN racking firm Bri-Stor Group has appointed two new directors. Richard Issitt is commercial director of Bri-Stor Systems, while Martin Smith is commercial director of Bri-Stor Group. Issitt joined Bri-Stor Systems a year ago as sales and marketing director, while Smith has been with Bri-Stor Group for some years in a number of senior sales and manufacturing positions.

  • RUSSELL Fleetwood has been promoted to national car sales director at tyre firm ATS Euromaster. He has spent a year as divisional sales manager and will oversee the firm’s largest fleet contracts.

  • THE National Salvage Group has made Christopher Campbell general manager of the firm’s Darlington operations centre. He has been consultant for end-of-life vehicle legislation for the past two years, while studying for a Master’s Degree in waste management. Campbell was previously a director at AON insurance and has also worked for GE Capital.

  • HUDA Al-Saedy, Rachel Jones and Nina Keane have all joined the sales team at fleet software firm cfc solutions. Al-Saedy is a law graduate with marketing and retail experience, while Jones comes from a bodyshop and insurance background. Keane has worked in recruitment and exhibitions.

  • HELPHIRE Group has appointed Rodney Baker-Bates as non-executive chairman. Baker-Bates was previously chief executive of Prudential Financial Services and prior to that finance and information technology director for the BBC.

  • CLAIMS management firm Broker Assistance has brought Vic Dhillon on board as sales and marketing director. The newly-created role reflects the company’s aim of becoming the industry leader by 2008. Dhillon arrives at Broker Assistance from the RAC, where he was head of client management, looking after insurers and fleets. He has also spent several years at GE Financial Insurance and National Westminster Bank.

  • THE Motor Vehicle Repairers’ Association has a new financial controller, Danielle Henwood. Her appointment aims to strengthen the accounts team as the MVRA plans future growth. She arrives from Swaziland, where she was a group accountant at PKF Chartered Accountants and has also worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers in London.

  • AQUILO has appointed two new account directors into its motor services division. Stephen Vare joins from Fleet Accident Repair Group, where he is currently national sales manager. He previously held sales roles at RAC and Lex Vehicle Leasing. Pam Frost joins from RAC Corporate Partnerships, where she was sales manager responsible for telesales and corporate relationships in the fleet and commercial vehicle sectors. Frost will be responsible for customer retention and business development in the insurance market.

  • JANE Knight has taken on the mantle of business development manager at Nobilas Claims and Fleet Solutions. She has more than 12 years’ experience in key account management and business development for firms including Arval, Dial Contracts and Axus UK. She will focus on developing new business in the leasing and corporate fleet market.

  • ANGELA Yates is the new general manager at AA Driving School. She joined the company in February as customer operations manager, having previously worked at Capita, BT and Marks & Spencer.

  • VEHICLE lift manufacturer Ratcliff Palfinger has appointed Tony Biggs as UK sales manager. He succeeds Eddie McIver, who has become sales director following the retirement of Vic Martin. Biggs has worked for Ratcliff since 1992, most recently as business development manager. Also on the up is Ken Goddard, who becomes parts marketing controller. He has considerable freelance experience with Ratcliff and has been a permanent member of the team since July. Russell Tait has been appointed business development manager, extending his responsibility to Northern Ireland and Eire, as well as his existing patch of northern England and Scotland.