Helphire Group has appointed Penny Stoolman as group commercial director.

Currently managing director of one of the group’s subsidiaries, Total Accident Management (TAM), Stoolman brings extensive experience and knowledge to the new role, having previously held senior sales, marketing and strategic development positions within the automotive industry including at RAC, Arval and Avis.

Stoolman joined TAM in 2006 as a consultant, becoming sales and marketing director in 2007. In 2009 she was appointed managing director.

Martin Ward, group managing director at Helphire Group, said: "Following the successful restructure of the group over the last 18 months, we are now in a good position to develop our commercial proposition. Penny’s excellent track record is already known to us and I am delighted to welcome her into this group role heading up our sales, account management and business development activities, with an eye to exploring new commercial opportunities. Penny will continue to hold overall management responsibility for Total Accident Management."

Stoolman said: "We continue to operate in a difficult economic environment that presents challenges for our market, making the development of cost effective, high quality service propositions for our business partners a priority.

"The group now has a strong and diverse customer base and there is enormous potential to build on these existing relationships whilst developing new opportunities for the future.

"In collaboration with operational colleagues, partners and customers, my focus will be to build on the wider group’s unique capabilities and mobilise an experienced and dynamic commercial team to deliver exceptional products and services that will drive forward our market position."