LATEST appointments in the fleet industry.

DSA gets new chief

THE Department for Transport has appointed Rosemary Thew as the new chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). The appointment follows an open competition. Thew has been West Midlands field director for Jobcentre Plus since 2001 and will take up her new appointment at the end of September.

She is a career civil servant whose previous roles have included management, policy and employment project work. She has also been regional director of the Employment Service.

Thew succeeds Gary Austin, chief executive of the DSA since 2000.

  • SATELLITE navigation firm Trafficmaster has a new chief executive – Tony Eales. Eales, who was head of Trafficmaster’s growing US fleet management business Teletrac, replaces Stuart Berman. Berman stepped down after profits came in 7% below expectations for the six months to June this year.

    Trafficmaster launched its in-car information system Smartnav in 2002, but has suffered from a 5% drop in yearly new car sales, increased competition from portable navigation products and a debt of £563,000 from the collapse of MG Rover. Teletrac, on the other hand, has seen sales rise 60% in the first half of this year.

    Berman will now concentrate on bringing new products to the market. These could include a pay-as-you-go insurance policy from Norwich Union, based on Smartnav mileage information.

  • TONY Whittaker and Stephen Pyke have joined the management team of JCT600 Contracts as purchasing manager and customer services manager respectively.

    Whittaker spent many years at CitiCapital Fleet and its predecessor companies. He will be responsible for improving purchasing terms and manufacturer liaison. Pyke’s start in leasing came with Black Horse Vehicle Finance, where he was latterly responsible for all servicing, maintenance and driver support services. His remit for JCT600 Contracts is to lead the team which looks after the needs of drivers from the day they first accept their vehicle until the day its contract ends.

  • FLEET software firm cfc solutions has restructured its sales team. The 15-strong department has been split into four groups – fleet north, fleet south, public sector fleets and leasing fleets – each headed up by a territory manager responsible for new business, supported by an account manager and sales co-ordinator. Sales and marketing director at cfc Andy Leech said: ‘We believe this will create a better overall approach.’

  • EUROTAXGLASS’S has reorganised its automotive management teams. Four separate account management teams will now be responsible for customers: insurance and repair, manu-facturers and dealers, fleet and finance and consumer, media and partnerships.

    All team members will now report directly to Brian Ruddock, the company’s key accounts and marketing director.

    EurotaxGlass’s managing director Paul Jarvis said: ‘We have developed a new structure that places greater emphasis on serving the needs of key automotive markets, allowing us to introduce a more focused and dedicated account management approach for the benefit of customers.’

  • THE Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) has appointed a new head of motorcycles.

    Mike Owen is now in charge of the RMI’s Motorcycle Retailers’ Association and Motorcycle Rider Training Association. A life-long motorcycle enthusiast, Owen is taking on the role alongside his existing responsibilities as head of aftermarket and used car sales within the RMI’s independent membership division. Previously with the Motor Industry Training and Consultancy (MITAC), Owen has been working in the sector in dealerships, consultancy and training for 36 years, in the UK, Europe, Asia and North America.

    Owen has been appointed to the role following an internal restructure. Previous incumbent Frank Finch has been appointed RMI director of standards.

  • NATIONAL Car Rental has appointed Sarah Ali as account director on its fleet and replacement sales team. Ali has almost 20 years’ experience in the fleet sector. She joins National from the AA, where she worked for four years as national account manager. She also worked for Arval PHH for 15 years in both the operational side of contract hire, as well as leasing and sales.

    As account director at National, Ali will be working with some of National’s largest fleet accounts. Her experience will be used to help her grow existing business and identify new business opportunities.