Industry jobs: Roles filled at Alphabet, Fleet Assist, Cap HPI, Carwow, ZeroMission and PSD Group

Alphabet names new chief operations officer to enhance digital transformation

Alphabet (GB) has appointed of Jean-Michel Barachy as its new chief operations officer (COO).

Prior to joining Alphabet (GB), he was COO for BMW Financial Services in Japan, where he oversaw the Group's digital transformation strategy. He has also held several IT leadership positions in France, Germany, and China.

He said: “The market presents huge opportunities to elevate the customer experience to offer even greater value, from SMEs to major corporate clients.

“Data and analytics are increasingly changing the way we approach the customer experience. By having access to the latest technology, it enables us to create a more dynamic and personalised business relationship.

“I have been fortunate to see first-hand how innovation has enhanced the in-person customer journey across BMW Group, and I am excited to realise the potential of the digital transformation programme in the UK to assist our internal processes and customer interactions.”

Mike Dennett, chief executive officer for Alphabet (GB), added: “The automotive industry is going through a period of extraordinary change, which requires a robust approach while having the ability to flex with new legislation, regulation and customer demands. 

“Jean-Michel has a strong reputation for delivering best-in-class customer service and will be invaluable to help us leverage from new technologies that underpin our go-to-market strategies.”

Fleet Assist expands senior management team 

Fleet Assist has announced a range of senior management appointments as its customer fleet is set to reach 1.5 million vehicles in early 2025.

Garry Winckley (pictured above) has been promoted to business development director, with responsibility for account management and growth of existing and new customers who use Fleet Assist’s portfolio of SMR supply chain products. 

He has been working for Fleet Assist for the past six months and brings with him a wealth of experience having held senior aftersales roles over the past 24 years with several large dealer groups.

Joanna Cooper, Fleet Assist’s longest serving member of the team has held several senior relationship management and operational roles. 

She now takes on the key position of strategic projects director, with her responsibilities intrinsically linked to all new products or services it develops and launches. Cooper will also support and lead tactical projects.

Meanwhile, Sara Smith joins the team as its new head of vehicle supply and funding after spending the past five years at Stellantis &You, most recently as its group fleet and business sales manager. Before that Smith held sales roles with Robins and Day, Pentagon and Bristol Street Motors.

Smith’s career spans 30 years in fleet and she will be using that expertise in her new role to grow Fleet Assist’s proposition focusing on specialist funding and supply for short term rental companies. 

Fleet Assist also welcomes James Elliott as its new technology director. His job is to spearhead the strategic direction and execution of Fleet Assist’s technology platform to retain its position as the UK’s leading SMR provider.

Vincent St Claire, Fleet Assist’s MD, said: “As the Fleet Assist business continues to grow its essential our team’s breadth of knowledge and experience keeps pace. Investing in these high-profile appointments coincides with us signing our 50th customer and our customer fleet nearing 1.5m vehicles in 2025.”

Cap HPI restructures its data operations with senior appointments 

Cap HPI will bring its new vehicle data and valuation operations together with the aim of creating greater flexibility around customer requirements and to drive innovation.

Stacey Ward (pictured above) has been appointed senior data director to head up the combined operation. She has worked across Solera companies since 2018, and her previous roles included leading Autodata and the WLTP integration project for Cap HPI. She will report to Antonio Sanchez Garcia, VP of Data Development at Solera. 

Chris Wright, vice president of North Europe for Solera, said: “Stacey has a wealth of experience across Solera and within Cap HPI. 

“Her drive and focus in delivering change across Autodata and Cap HPI is clear. The changes will unlock a new focus on operational excellence and greater flexibility to meet customer requirements.” 

Chris Plumb will head the car valuations team following Derren Martin's departure later this year.

While the forecast strategy team will continue to be led by Dylan Setterfield. Dionne Hanlon has been promoted to head commercial vehicles and motorcycles. Jon Clay, identification director at Cap HPI, will also leave the business in the coming weeks. 

The restructure will also see the Cap HPI consulting team working closely with the data teams to drive new insights for its customers, including 55 OEMs, fleets, insurance and finance companies. 

Ward said: “The team at Cap HPI deliver the data, insight and technology that drives the industry forward. By bringing the new vehicle data and valuations teams closer together, we can react more quickly and flexibly to customer needs. The changes will also help to speed up the pace of innovation across the business.” 

Carwow appoints new commercial director to help shape growth of auction division

Carwow has appointed Daniel Boakes as its new commercial director for its Sell My Car division, responsible for driving strategic growth.

He will report into Sally Foote, chief commercial officer at Sell My Car.

Boakes joins Carwow from Cox Automotive, where he spent 11 years in a number of senior management roles, most recently as director of dealer development.

He said: “I’m looking forward to building new relationships with trade buyers and ensuring we’re supporting them in meaningful new ways, as well as encouraging even more consumers to sell their car through Carwow.”

Foote added: “As part of our ambitious growth strategy, we are now pushing for more sellers and buyers, with a focus on securing and listing the stock that dealers really want. 

“During 2024, we’ve added around 20,000 units of fresh used stock to our daily auctions each month plus introduced round-the-clock bidding, changed our charging model and put in new measures to protect retailers against financial loss. 

“We’ll be making additional changes through 2025 and further scaling the operation - aided by the addition of all-new marketplaces linked to the media brands we recently purchased, including Auto Express.” 

ZeroMission appoints new director of sales for Europe

ZeroMission has appointed Brenda Shanahan as director of sales Europe, where she will support the company’s ongoing expansion in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

She brings extensive connected technology and fleet management experience to the role having spent the past seven years working at Radius Telematics. 

During her time at the company, she held a number of senior business development positions including channel sales director, group head of telematics corporate sales and head of sales UK telematics. 

Leah O’Dwyer, CEO of ZeroMission, said: “Her experience and ambition are precisely what we need to drive our European growth and enhance our go-to-market strategy. 

“For us, it is about having the correct people in place, people who share our vision and demonstrate exceptional expertise, to ensure we achieve our business goals and deliver highest value to our customers.”

Shanahan added: “Through my previous experience, I have gained a deep understanding of data analytics, IoT solutions, and fleet technology, which will allow me to contribute valuable expertise and bring a fresh perspective to the role.”

PSD Group appoints operations director

The PSD Group has further strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of Kane Bowden as operations director.

Bowden began at the reception desk at Burnt Tree Vehicle Rental in South Wales, quickly progressing through the ranks and eventually being promoted to general manager for Shropshire and later Birmingham. 

Under his leadership, the Birmingham location grew to become one of the largest in Burnt Tree’s national network.

He later became area rental manager when Enterprise acquired Burnt Tree, before joining Prohire as a national accounts manager.

Clint Harrison, MD of the PSD Group, said: “Kane has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding customer service, qualities that align perfectly with our values at PSD. 

“We are confident that Kane will be instrumental in helping PSD become the North West’s leading vehicle rental company. His track record of success speaks for itself.”

Bowden added: “The opportunity to return to light commercial vehicle rental operations and contribute to PSD’s growth is something I’m really looking forward to. I’ve always been passionate about building strong teams and delivering outstanding service, and I see a lot of potential to expand the business.”