Industry jobs: Roles filled at Europcar, Pod Point, Allscreens Nationwide, Swarco Smart Charging, APCOA, Juratek and Bettaparts

Allscreens Nationwide appoints new national sales manager

Allscreens Nationwide has welcomed Dave Boston into the business as national sales manager to support its expansion plans. 

Boston brings 34 years of experience working within the automotive glazing industry. After starting his career in the East Midlands as a windscreen technician in 1990, he then joined National Windscreens and has managed national accounts and sales teams since 2007.

Daniel Sole, director at Allscreens Nationwide, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Dave to the team. His extensive experience and industry knowledge will be invaluable as we look to further grow the business.

“It’s rare in this industry to have so many senior members of staff with a background in automotive glazing, and it’s paramount to our success as it means we really understand the needs of our customers and employees.”

Boston added: “I have worked in the industry for many years, managing national accounts and sales teams and accredit my success to my substantial understanding of the industry and the expectations that the fleet operators require.” 

Boston will play a key role in helping the business to deliver its ambitious growth plans and will take the lead in establishing and managing the branches around the UK.

Europcar appoints business development director

Europcar Mobility Group UK has expanded its insurance specialist team with the appointment of Jonathan Brownhill as business development director.

Brownhill has experience working across courtesy car, credit hire and repair solutions in the bodyshop space and service, warranty and accident management solutions in the dealership sector.

As the sector faces continued pricing, customer acquisition and retention challenges alongside the requirements of the new consumer duty regulations, he will work with insurers to provide fit for purpose solutions.

“We are delighted to welcome Jonathan to the business and look forward to leveraging his experience to support our insurance clients”, said James Roberts, head of insurance sales at Europcar.

“He will foster strategic partnerships, providing insurers with a vehicle replacement solution that ensures they can meet their consumer duty requirements.”

Brownhill added: “This is an exciting new role for me, working for a business that offers a best-in-class, end-to-end solution for all insurance mobility claim types, backed by a dedicated, centralised insurance support team.

“Europcar is an innovative and forward-thinking mobility provider, and I am particularly looking forward to working with insurers who want to support their customers’ ambitions for zero emissions mobility.”

In the last year, Europcar has increased its green car fleet by 12% and electrified over 50% of its network. 

“These are strong proof points that we believe will give insurers confidence that Europcar should be part of their supply chain,” said Brownhill.

Pod Point names Melanie Lane as new CEO

Pod Point has appointed Melanie Lane as its new chief executive officer, replacing Andy Palmer, who has acted as interim CEO since July, 2023.

Lane, who will take up the role from May 1, joins from Shell Recharge Solutions, having led the standalone unit following its acquisition by Shell in 2017 to become a prominent e-mobility solutions provider across key EU markets.

Prior to her time running Recharge, she led turnaround programmes for Shell's aviation and retail units.

She said: “Pod Point is a leading player in UK EV charging with a strong brand, high customer trust, extensive partnerships and fantastic people.

“The business has an outstanding opportunity to build on the pillars of the recently announced Powering Up strategy, with a renewed focus on home and workplace charging, driving recurring revenue through Energy Flex and growing internationally.”

Palmer will return to the board as chair designate, before taking on the role of non-executive chair post Pod Point's annual general meeting on June 5.

At this time, Gareth Davis will step down as chair and remain on the board as an independent non-executive director, while interim senior independent director Karen Myers will become the permanent senior independent director. 

EDF Group, Pod Point's largest shareholder, has given its full support for these appointments.

Swarco Smart Charging appoints new sales director 

Lara Navetta has been named as the new sales director for Swarco Smart Charging’s customer-funded EV charging infrastructure business unit – SIS – to strengthen and lead its sales team. 

Her predecessor, Anne Buckingham, was appointed managing director last year.

Buckingham said: “Lara is an accomplished sales director and she will be leading a high-performing team to deliver a robust sales strategy, navigating a dynamic business landscape, cultivating strategic partnerships, supporting organisations in both the public and private sector, and spearheading our efforts to and grow our business by 30% again this year.” 

Navetta added: “It is great to be joining the dynamic and expert team at Swarco Smart Charging who have a reputation for building long-term partnerships with its customers.

“I am really looking forward to being part of the vision for future growth.” 

Juratek and Bettaparts announce senior management changes

Fras-le owned Juratek and Bettaparts have announced the departure of managing director, Matt Robinson, who will leave the business to explore new ventures.

He will be succeeded by current operations director, Mark Clegg.

Robinson joined the brand in 2014 and has been part of two management buy outs during his tenure.

The company said that his vision and leadership have been pivotal in the growth of the business, which has seen sales more than double, the acquisition and growth of Bettaparts and a new distribution centre in Northern Ireland being opened.

Clegg, who has been with the company since 2015, said: “It is an honour to take over the managing director role from Matt, whom I have worked closely with over the past nine years and through all the positive changes.

“Under the new ownership of Fras-le it is exciting to continue the growth of the company with the opportunities that we have in front of us.”

Robinson added: “After nine and a half exciting years, my time at Juratek has come to an end. I have had the tremendous privilege to work alongside a fantastic group of dedicated people and to steer the business through a challenging period of growth, culminating in the sale to Fras-le in 2023.

“I have full confidence that Mark is the right person to lead the company on the next stage of its journey as part of Fras-Le mobility. I want to offer my best wishes to all colleagues and every success for the future.”

Nick Pulford assumes role of interim chief financial officer of APCOA

APCOA has appointed Nick Pulford as its new interim chief financial officer (CFO), succeeding Sam Groves, who has been in the role since 2021.

Before joining APCOA, Pulford was interim group CFO at LRQA.

APCOA says that his extensive finance-experience also includes positions at listed businesses such as WSP Group and AECOM, but more recently driving growth in private equity backed organisations.

Philippe Op de Beeck, APCOA’s chief executive officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome Nick as interim CFO.

“His skills, knowledge and experience mean he is well placed to support the implementation of APCOA’s transformation strategy.

“Sam has made a more than significant contribution during his time at APCOA, and I would like to thank him for his partnership and wish him the best in his future endeavours.”