Fleet Operations appoints new commercial director to accelerate growth ambitions

Fleet Operations has appointed Doug Hyett to the newly created role of commercial director.

Drawing upon more than 20 years of fleet experience – from a leasing and manufacturer perspective – Hyett will oversee the commercial development of the business, growing its UK customer base and offering, while driving cost-efficiency savings for fleets on their net zero journeys.

Responsibilities for the former national fleet sales manager at Volkswagen UK and head of mega fleets and sales director at Lex Autolease will also extend to enhancing the skills and capabilities of the company’s sales team.

“Doug’s appointment marks the latest step in an exciting chapter for Fleet Operations, as we continue our rapid growth trajectory, injecting fresh thinking, innovation and energy into the fleet automotive sector,” said Richard Hipkiss, managing director of Fleet Operations.

“He shares our values, customer-first mentality and long-term strategic vision. His extensive leadership experience and impressive in-depth knowledge of the industry will make him an invaluable addition to our team.”

Hyett added: “I’m delighted to join Fleet Operations, an agile, innovative company with an enviable heritage of independence and unrivalled expertise in delivering tailor-made solutions to meet clients’ needs.

“I am confident I can help the company to continue to raise the fleet management bar, supporting and cost optimising fleet businesses as they navigate a period of considerable change for industry.”

Cox Automotive appoints Didier Van Bouwel to lead FleetMaster expansion

Cox Automotive has appointed Didier Van Bouwel to lead the ongoing expansion and development of its FleetMaster business.

As managing director, hewill work alongside FleetMaster’s founders and senior leadership team to execute the company’s growth strategy.

FleetMaster, a cloud-based fleet management software business delivering solutions to rental companies, dealerships and automotive manufacturers across the globe, was acquired by Cox Automotive in July 2021.

Customers include Alphabet, Athlon, Scania, Novuna, Alamo, Universal Rental Group and Mercedes-Benz, operating in markets including the USA, Mexico, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, the Nordics and Netherlands.

Van Bouwel has held numerous senior positions during his 18-year career with Cox Automotive, including chief operating officer of Modix International plus group strategy for Cox Automotive International and leadership of Kelley Blue Book International – both positions he retains.

Paul Humphreys, managing director of Cox Automotive Retail, said: “Didier’s appointment reflects the opportunity we recognise ahead for FleetMaster and we will lean on his experience, expertise and networks to steer the business into its next chapter.”

Asset Alliance Group appoints Michael Bycroft as MD of Asset Finance & Leasing

Michael Bycroft will take on a wider brief at Asset Alliance Group after being promoted to the new position of managing director of Asset Finance and Leasing.

Previously MD of Bus and Coach, Bycroft now assumes responsibility for the strategic development of the Group and will oversee the truck and trailer contract hire, leasing and finance sales divisions, as well as the bus and coach, vendor finance and general asset finance sides of the business.

Bycroft said: “I am excited about the opportunities to grow all divisions in the Group. We have seen significant growth across the business over the last few years, particularly in the Bus and Coach, Vendor Finance, and General Asset Finance divisions.

“I want to make sure this progression continues and that we maximise our capabilities to develop all areas of the business.”

Bycroft has played a key role in the growth of Bus and Coach since Forest Asset Finance, the company he founded with Darren Fitzpatrick, was acquired by Asset Alliance Group in 2015.

“As we enter an exciting period of growth for our business, Michael’s new role will be pivotal to fostering closer collaboration between all divisions to ensure we achieve our targets for the business in the next 12 months and the years beyond,” said Asset Alliance Group CEO, Willie Paterson.

Chamberlain promoted as he takes on commercial director duties at TrucTyre

Jason Chamberlain, sales director at ATS Euromaster, will see his role expand as he takes over the commercial director role at TrucTyre.

In his expanded new role, he will be responsible for overseeing and driving business growth for both ATS Euromaster and TrucTyre, including the management of all existing customers.

The promotion will ensure customers of both ATS Euromaster and TrucTyre get a consistent and high-quality level of service, across all vehicle types, it said.

Chamberlain’s team will expand to more than 40 and will work collaboratively to drive success at both businesses. As well as overseeing sales operations and executing the strategic plan to further grow the client base.

He said: “I am delighted to accept this new expanded position. With this new role, we can enhance the development of our propositions, including using the strength and experience of both companies to provide outstanding customer value for Car, LCV and HGV sectors covering tyre management, and Car / LCV service, maintenance and repair.

“I look forward to the challenge and successes to come.”

Nick Harley, managing director of TrucTyre and ATS Euromaster, added: “Jason has already proven to bring success and deliver significant improvements in results to his sales director role at ATS Euromaster.

“I am sure he will thrive with the extra responsibilities and achieve the same at Tructyre.”

Chamberlain takes over from Richard Martin who has decided to leave TrucTyre after four years in the commercial director role.

Fleetio appoints Tyson Goeltz to drive revenue growth

Fleetio has appointed Tyson Goeltz to the company’s executive leadership team as its first chief revenue officer (CRO).

Goeltz will lead all aspects of Fleetio’s sales and business development, helping drive revenue growth.

He comes to Fleetio with more than two decades of professional sales experience, most recently serving as CRO for Reprise.

Previously, he served as senior vice president of global sales at A Cloud Guru before its acquisition by Pluralsight, as well as multiple pre-IPO sales leadership roles during a long tenure at LinkedIn. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Tyson as our CRO to help Fleetio advance our industry’s leading fleet maintenance and vehicle data platform,” says Jon Meachin, chief executive officer of Fleetio.

“Tyson has a proven track record scaling sales organizations, and we’re excited to have him on board to further accelerate the company’s growth.”

Goeltz added: "Fleet maintenance management is a critical function within the global economy, and Fleetio has over a decade of success in helping companies track, analyze and improve fleet operations.

“It is exciting to join a company with a strong dedication to creating value for small business owners all the way up to large global operators.

“This all comes to life through the highly talented and passionate group of individuals who I am now humbled to call my colleagues." 

Richard Chamberlain joins Saic Maxus as brand strengthens its position in Europe

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) has appointed Richard Chamberlain as SAIC Maxus country manager for the UK and Ireland.

The appointment comes at a time of sustained growth for the Maxus brand, which is distributed by Harris Group across right hand drive Europe.

Chamberlain joins SAIC from Stellantis where he was previously LCV director for Stellantis UK and country manager for Fiat Professional.

He will be working with the Harris Maxus team in a supportive role as the network and brand continues to evolve.

SAIC Maxus will not be directly selling in the UK but will offer a real-time support role to Harris Maxus and its dedicated dealer network.

Mark Barrett, managing director at Harris Maxus, said: “We look forward to working with Richard and SAIC to further grow the Maxus brand in the UK and Ireland.”

Chamberlain added: "This is a great opportunity to join an exciting and growing brand that is leading the industry with a wide portfolio of electric products and significant traction in a number of sectors.

“I'm looking forward to working closely and supporting the Harris Maxus brand as we embark on the next stage of the journey."

EO Charging Americas strengthens leadership team

EO Charging has announced that John Walsh has joined the company as chief commercial officer of its Americas business.

Walsh brings more than three decades of experience in the transportation industry to the company, with expertise in transit and school bus electrification solutions.

He will lead all commercial aspects of EO’s Americas business to support the company’s recently announced expansion into the U.S. market. 

Charlie Jardine, CEO and founder of EO Charging, said: “Combining EO's dedication to delivering maximum uptime for mission-critical fleets with John's decades of industry experience, we believe that EO can be a dominant player in electrifying North American depots." 

Walsh began advising EO in March of 2023. Prior to that, he served as the chief commercial officer of Proterra, a heavy-duty electric transportation company, leading the Powered, Transit, and Energy divisions’ growth efforts.

He said: “EO Charging continues to serve some of the most complex fleets in the European market with over 99% uptime, and fleet operators across North America have a strong desire to increase their fleets’ reliability.

“I feel confident that EO Charging’s complete transportation electrification ecosystem can uniquely address this gap in the market and look forward to working with the team to expand our Americas presence.” 

Walsh joins a growing EO Charging Americas team led by President Austin Hausmann, formerly of Chanje and Smith Electric Vehicles, who brings over 13 years of dedicated commercial EV OEM leadership to the company.

Tano Di Girolamo leaves Bridle Group

Tano Di Girolamo, chief strategy officer at Bridle Group, is leaving the company with immediate effect.

The announcement was made in a joint statement released late on Tuesday, (September 19).

He said: “After nearly 26 years at Fulton and subsequently Bridle, I feel that it's time to take a break and spend six months considering my next and final move.

“I have made many new friends and have enjoyed working with the board at Bridle and hope that I have left my mark on what I am sure is going to be an exciting and prosperous time for the business.”

Tano sold Fulton Leasing to Bridle in June 2018 and agreed to stay on for five years to integrate the business into the Group.

In addition, Tano also helped to launch several new projects, including the Bridle Franchise model.

In February, Tano was appointed to the board of directors and contributed to shaping a new structure within the Group.

Neil Fox, CEO of Bridle Group, said: “I would like to thank Tano for all his hard work and commitment.

“He has been an absolute pleasure to work with and has played an integral part in getting us to where we are today, and in our plans for the future.

“I was able to convince Tano to stay beyond his planned five years, but unfortunately, not six. It goes without saying, we all wish him well for the future, and hope he enjoys a well-earned rest.”