Industry jobs: New appointments at Fleetondemand, Tomorrow’s Journey, Auto Windscreens and Schmitz Cargobull

Joe Howick named new group CEO by Fleetondemand

Multi-platform technology company FOD Mobility Group has announced the appointment of Joe Howick as group CEO.

Howick has been serving as Fleetondemand CEO, and formerly chief commercial officer, on the group’s executive board since he joined the company in 2019.

His newly appointed role is underpinned by almost 30 years’ senior commercial experience in the fleet and rental industries, including previous positions at Fleet Europe, Zenith, and Leasedrive Group.

In his new role, he will be working closely with the leadership team to continue driving the strategic growth of FOD Mobility Group’s business and technology throughout the UK and Europe.

Hesaid: “I am delighted to be leading the next phase of growth for the group, building on the success of the business. The recent implementation of our new business development strategy is well underway, and our current focus is to continue building our existing customer base in the UK and expanding our presence in the European market.”

FOD Mobility Group’s founder, Justin Whitston, will be moving to a new role as non-executive director as part of this natural succession plan and remains the majority shareholder of the group.

He will continue to work closely with the executive board supporting the continued growth of the group.

Whitston said: “As the founder of FOD Mobility Group the timing is right for Joe to lead the group onwards into the next chapter of the company’s development and I look forward to supporting him and the team in the continued success of the business.”

Tomorrow's Journey recruits Karl Howkins 

Karl Howkins has joined the automotive software firm Tomorrow's Journey as a consulting director, his first role since leaving Sogo Mobility.

The role will see him advise the firm on accelerating its growth in the UK market to support OEMs and fleets with their software. 

Tomorrow’s Journey provides full-service automotive software to a global customer roster that includes Hyundai, Al-Futtaim and Gridserve.  

Howkins said: "I worked with Tomorrow's Journey as a customer and was impressed with the efficacy of the technology.

“They've developed a modular system that can drive efficiency across everything from car subscription services to test drives and pool car management.

“I believe this is the technology platform that will help to accelerate some of the key trends that are shaping our industry." 

The company was established in 2017 and quickly grew to operate across Europe and the Middle East. It is chaired by David Betteley, a former managing director of Vauxhall Finance, who also held senior roles at Toyota and JLR. 

Chris Kirby, co-founder and CEO of Tomorrow's Journey, said: "Karl brings a wealth of experience to this new role.

“We share a vision for the role that great technology will play in accelerating car subscription, supporting online vehicle sales and driving greater efficiencies in fleet operations."

Auto Windscreens recruits 23 new service centre managers

Following successful pilots in Bristol, Tewksbury and Yeovil, Auto Windscreens has recruited 23 service centre managers across the South East, South West, Midlands and North East, as part of its new infrastructure to further support technicians and serve customers.

The new role has been introduced to help manage the company’s growing demand for glass repairs, replacements and Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS) calibrations at larger sites across the UK.

New service centre managers are now working from sites in Rochester, Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Exeter, Cornwall, Plymouth, Nuneaton, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Horsham, Lewes, Portsmouth, Sandhurst, Poole, Southampton, Preston, Oldham, Manchester and will be followed by Newcastle and Middlesbrough in July.

Sean Draycott, operations director at Auto Windscreens, said: “This new structure will ensure service centre managers oversee all jobs from our busiest sites alongside existing supervisors, which will hugely improve efficiencies.

“It will also support us in continuing to deliver the high standards of service our customers expect, with the bonus of additional local knowledge.”

He added: “The introduction of these roles is part of our growth plan, and with the majority filled by promoting existing colleagues, we’ve been able to employ 23 additional people to ‘backfill’ positions within the business.”

Schmitz Cargobull appoints David O’Connor

Schmitz Cargobull has appointed David O’Connor as regional sales manager in Ireland.

He brings with him 20 years of sales experience in the automotive sector, most recently with the largest Mercedes-Benz dealership in Ireland.

O’Connor said: “Compared with the car market where you choose a model and select from a few options, there’s an impressive level of technical and engineering prowess on show within the road transport sector.

“Schmitz Cargobull has the expertise to find the best option for each customers’ specific trailer requirements, be that bespoke or ready-made.”

He joins a reinvigorated Ireland team and will work alongside fellow regional sales manager Philip Keenan, as well as regional aftermarket development manager, Steve Wilson.

The move comes as Europe’s leading trailer manufacturer opens its first dedicated spare parts facility in Ireland, in partnership with logistics and warehousing specialist JMC.