Justine Hawkins appointed MD of Ebbon Automotive

Ebbon Group has appointed Justine Hawkins to the role of managing director of a newly branded business area, Ebbon Automotive.

Hawkins is also responsible for the group’s international operations in the Netherlands, France, Germany and Italy.

To help support three business areas at a group level will be newly appointed group technical director, Steve Larkin, who has almost 20 years’ experience of working within the business.

Robert Pilkington, joint chief executive officer at Ebbon Group, said: “Firstly, we would like to congratulate Justine and Steve on their new appointments at this very exciting time in the Group’s development,” said joint-CEO Robert Pilkington.

“We believe our three newly branded business areas more clearly define our aims and objectives as we continue to develop and expand the business.”

Hawkins added: “I am very lucky to be heading up such a dedicated and loyal team of talented people, and to have the chance to take the Automotive business to a new and exciting stage of its development.

“We are growing the business at a time of great change within the industry, not just with our existing, long-established and market-leading core solutions that the fleet and leasing market knows so well, but in new areas, countries and customers, especially the vehicle manufacturers, along with new market channels - both B2B and B2C.”

Fellow joint-CEO, Craig Gibbin, said: “While we will continue to focus on organic growth and the development of our international interests, we are also firmly set on a policy of strategic acquisition and fully expect to be able to make another key announcement within the next 12 months which fits seamlessly with the group’s ambitions.”

Tim Meadows becomes chief commercial officer at Epyx

Tim Meadows has been appointed to the newly created role of chief commercial officer (CCO) at Epyx.

Meadows is re-joining the company where he spent four years, initially as director of account management from 2016 and then commercial director, before becoming MD at R2C Online, also Fleetcor-owned.

His new responsibilities will include field and business sales development, account management, manufacturer and dealer relationships, inside sales, and marketing and communications.

Previously, Meadows spent 11 years at LeasePlan, ultimately as brand director for public sector automotive leasing, as well as holding key roles at Lombard, Custom Fleet and Lex.

Reporting to Meadows are two new internal promotions - Marc Lees has become business development director.

Originally joining Epyx in 2011 as business development and account manager, has progressed through several roles. Previously, he held positions at BT Fleet and BCA in a fleet industry career spanning more than two decades.

Ryan Wakeman has also been named as inside sales director, responsible for all non-field-based sales activity for the Epyx product range.

Wakeman has been with the company since 2003, initially as a product support representative and most recently holding the role of head of inside sales.

Aditya Varadpande, Epyx MD, said: “Epyx has ambitious growth plans for the next few years, especially as we move into areas such as connected vehicle data. We intend to continue to digitally connect the fleet and dealer ecosystem and further improve efficiencies.

“These new appointments are being made in support of this strategy. Tim, Marc and Ryan have a wealth of expertise when it comes to Epyx, its customers and its products, and will all play an important part in helping us meet our objectives.”

Samsara appoints Steve Pickle as chief people officer

Samsara has announced Steve Pickle as its new chief people officer, effective from today (October 10, 2022).

Pickle will join Samsara’s executive management team and report directly to Sanjit Biswas, Samsara co-founder and CEO.

Pickle joins Samsara from Salesforce where he served as executive vice president of global people strategy and operations.

At Salesforce he led a global team of HR professionals, data scientists, and technology specialists, while helping double the scale of the company to approximately 80,000 employees.

Biswas said: “Steve’s experience leading and growing large-scale, transformative teams and cultures will be a tremendous asset as we continue our mission to increase the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the operations that power the global economy.”

Zenith hires record number of apprentices

Zenith has continued the support of its apprenticeship programme with the employment of its highest ever cohort.

The company has employed 29 new apprentices – an increase of more than 100% since its last cohort, which came in 2020.

The apprentices will work across Zenith’s key business teams, including finance, remarketing and in the commercial workshops at four different sites – Leeds, Glasgow, Skelmersdale and Aldridge.

Nick Galicia, talent programmes lead at Zenith, said: “We care about nurturing people from different backgrounds, and as one of Yorkshire’s largest companies, we’re proud to offer a leading apprenticeship scheme which not only helps to boost employment in the local area, but provides those involved with an opportunity to begin their career with all the support and training they’re going to need, both for now and for future opportunities.

“The scheme is constantly developing and growing, which is a testament to how we, as a business, feel about our approach to people, and we’re excited to continue this into 2023.”