KEY appointments in the fleet industry.

  • SEAT UK has appointed Nigel Wright as its national business sales manager. The New Zealander arrived in the UK at Easter after working in Australia as national business sales manager for Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Fiat and Kia and regional fleet sales manager for Mitsubishi.

    Wright will lead three SEAT business sales account managers and the business sales support team, which has responsibility for sales to fleet, corporate and business users.

  • FLEET management software firm RAC Software Solutions has made three new appointments. Steve Bate joins as sales manager. He has 15 years’ industry experience, having previously worked for cfc solutions and epyx.

    Stephen Lowden and Susanne Chivers have been appointed as training consultants on the Tranman Series 7 product, which is used by large commercial fleets and the public sector.

  • RENTAL company Europcar has appointed Simon Harper as training and development manager. He joins Europcar with 10 years of industry experience and aims to establish a development programme for employees to enhance their skills and develop the business. Harper’s appointment is part of an organisation-wide strategy to analyse and further enhance Europcar’s sales and customer service delivery.

  • THE Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) has appointed a new head for its Cherished Numbers Dealers Association. Justin Tidmarsh is the man looking after much-loved number plates and among his challenges will be supporting the Vehicle Registration Marks Bill towards a second reading in Parliament.

    The Bill aims to simplify legislation surrounding assignment rights of cherished numbers where retention certificates are involved.

    Tidmarsh also plans to develop a relationship with the DVLA to enable cherished number dealers to trade more effectively.

    Tidmarsh has been appointed to the role following an internal restructure. Alistair Manson, who is now head of the RMI’s National Franchised Dealers Association and Society of Motor Auctions, will continue to support Tidmarsh in the short term to assure a smooth handover.

  • RISK management firm Aon has appointed Dr Bob Smallwood to its transport team within its risk management services division. Smallwood aims to boost the team’s rail risk management and safety capability, raise its profile in the sector and expand its range of services.

  • EMISSIONS reduction developer Clean Diesel Technologies has appointed Walter Copan as its vice- president and chief technology officer. CDT is the US-based father firm of UK representatives Clean Diesel International. Copan joins from the US Department of Energy, where he worked in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.