Industry jobs: Roles filled at FOD Mobility Group, Viritech, AA Business Services, GSF Car Parts, Autotech Training and Hippo Motor Group

FOD Mobility Group makes key senior appointments

FOD Mobility Group has appointed Joe Howick as CEO of its Fleetondemand ground transportation business, and Simon Lamkin as CEO of Its Mobilleo MaaS technology business.
Howick has been serving as chief commercial officer on the Group’s executive board since he joined the company in 2019.

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

In his new role, he will be working closely with the executive team to continue driving the strategic growth of Fleetondemand's business and technology throughout the UK and Europe.

Howick said: "I am delighted to be leading the next phase of growth for Fleetondemand, building on the success of the business over the last 12 years.

“Our immediate focus will be on recruitment to support the implementation of our business development strategy and drive further growth of our existing customer base in the UK and Europe."

FOD Mobility Group’s Founder, Justin Whitston, will be moving to the position of Group CEO within the company. This transition will enable him to dedicate his attention toward the Group’s overarching business and product strategy.

He said: "Joe's leadership and contributions as the chief commercial officer of FOD Mobility Group have been invaluable since he joined the business, and this appointment is a natural progression for him.

“His wealth of knowledge and strategic vision will be instrumental in the successful growth of Fleetondemand and I’m confident that he will take the business to new heights."

As part of the executive team restructure the Group’s chief technology officer, Simon Lamkin, will also be moving to the newly appointed role of CEO for the Mobilleo business.

"One of my reasons for joining FOD Mobility Group in 2021 was because of the Mobilleo product," said Lamkin. "Mobilleo has had some great early success in the Mobility as a Service space, we will continue driving forward and integrating new and innovative travel partners to make Mobilleo a class leading product.

“I'm delighted to have the opportunity to lead this great team and to continue to enhance our core mobility technology."

Whitston added: "Simon has been instrumental in evolving the technology excellence strategy since joining the company in 2021. He will be playing a pivotal role in leading the successful growth and development of the Mobilleo platform going forward.”

Viritech appoints Phil Wild as new CEO

Viritech has announced the appointment of Phil Wild as chief executive officer (CEO), with the company poised to commercialise its hydrogen powertrain technology from 2024.

Wild brings engineering expertise and a wealth of experience in growing manufacturing, technology and materials companies to the role, said Viritech.

Wild has previously held positions as the managing director of 3M’s Security Systems division for Europe, Middle East and Africa, and as the CEO of AIM-listed James Cropper for a decade, during which he spearheaded a ten-fold increase in the company’s market capitalisation.

Timothy Lyons, founder of Viritech, said: “As a serial entrepreneur, I know that the skills needed to establish a new company with radical technology are not the same as those needed to take it to the next level.

“When we appointed Phil as our Associate Director in March this year, we planned to promote him to CEO once we had worked together to develop Viritech’s scale-up plan – the delivery of which Phil will now oversee.

“I will continue to support Viritech as company chair, and I’m delighted that the company has an exceptional CEO who will help to make Viritech one of the world’s leading sustainable transportation technology companies.”

Wild added: “I am delighted to be taking over as CEO at such an exciting time for the business. Over the last six months, I have been enormously impressed by the team, the technology, and the huge market opportunity that Viritech possesses.

“The company has quickly established itself as a technology leader in the critically important hydrogen powertrain sector, which has a vital role to play in the decarbonisation of transport. I’m relishing the challenge of bringing Viritech’s ground-breaking products to life, driving exciting growth and executing an innovative business model.

“The challenge of delivering cost-competitive, zero-carbon transport could hardly be greater, and I’m grateful to push the company forward in pursuit of this.”

AA Business Services strengthens product development team with two new appointments

The AA has welcomed Kathryn Cray (pictured above) and Joe Pearson (pictured below) to its business services team. The two new hires are set to strengthen the team’s product development and marketing functions.

Cray joins the AA as senior product manager, with almost 15 years of marketing and product management experience.

Cray has previously held roles in Lloyds Banking Group and Simplyhealth, where she was latterly head of marketing.

She said: “I can’t wait to help shape some of the future products and customer experiences that will become central as the brand progresses with its new strategic direction as a multi-service provider, always ahead and there for drivers every step of their journey.”

With three years’ experience of the business, Pearson is moving from a digital marketing role in the AA group digital marketing team to assume the position of marketing manager, AA Business Services.

The move will see Pearson take responsibility for a wider remit of AA services and solutions for B2B customers.

Pearson said: “It’s an exciting time to be at the AA and my new role will really enable me to put my experience to a broader range of projects and customer journeys.”

GSF Car Parts appoints executive chairman and chief executive

NationalL motor factor GSF Car Parts has announced the appointment of Sukhpal Ahluwalia as executive chairman and Steve Horne as chief executive officer of GSF Car Parts.

The parts supplier operates 180 branches across the UK and Ireland, supplying thousands of independent garages, national chains and retail customers with parts, specialist training, tools and equipment.

The Ahluwalia Family Office has also co-invested in GSF Car Parts alongside private equity firm Epiris. The co-investment marks Sukhpal Ahluwalia’s return to the car afterparts market.

Having founded Euro Car Parts in 1978, he scaled the business from a single car accessories store in London into the largest car parts distributor and retailer in the UK, with 260 branches nationwide and annual sales of over £1.2 billion.

He said: “This is a hugely exciting time for GSF Car Parts, and I look forward to working with all of our valued team members, customers, and global suppliers as we start on this new journey together.

“I have a huge respect for the GSF team, including the business' hard-working branch team members and head office colleagues. Relationships have always been at the centre of GSF's success, and that's something that we're going to double down on.”

Horne added: “We will turn the business into a fast-growth, sales-focused company with our customers, suppliers, and team members at its heart.

“This growth plan will deliver opportunities across the industry: new sales channels for our valued global suppliers, added convenience for our important customers, and new roles for our knowledgeable team members.”

Ahluwalia and Horne previously worked together at Euro Car Parts.  The team plans to add a significant number of new branches to the business over the coming years, improve the branch experience, strengthen its e-commerce offering, invest in its catalogue and IT, and rejuvenate its delivery fleet.

The business will also stake out its leadership on sustainability by extending its range of products for electric vehicles, as well as investing in new technology to reduce the company’s own emissions and energy

Autotech Training appoints head of MOT

Autotech Training has appointed Rob Walsh as the company’s new head of MOT.

Initially joining Autotech Training at the end of last year as an automotive technical field trainer, in his new position, he will oversee the delivery of Autotech Training’s MOT course offering, from MOT training and Assessment through to MOT tester and MOT manager courses.

He will also spearhead the growth of the company’s VTS Compliance Audits and Quality Assurance offering, which aims to help testing stations remain DVSA compliant, running efficiently and profitably, while interpreting its MOT data effectively.

Prior to joining Autotech Training, he spent more than eight years as an AA breakdown patrol, and an automotive technician for the Specialist Cars Group.

He said: “Having a technical background certainly supports my ability to lead the MOT Training offering and I am committed to channelling this experience into the role and supporting the industry.

“Vehicle testing sites are today under increased pressure as the DVSA are scrutinising digital MOT data and, in order to remain compliant, a site, and its testers, need to understand how to interpret their data and spot any red flags quickly.

“Keeping on top of training and assessments, while ensuring any MOT manager holds the most current qualification will also play a vital role in this too.”

New CFO for Hippo Motor Group

Lancashire car dealership Hippo Motor Group has appointed a new chief financial officer to support its ambitious growth nationwide.

Stuart Whittle has more than 20 years’ finance experience and prior to joining the Blackburn-based firm held senior leadership roles in the vehicle, property and banking sectors, including Close Motor Finance, LSL Property Services and Leeds Building Society.

As well as leading the group's finance team, Whittle will be responsible for creating a digitally focussed growth strategy for the business’ three brands.

Director Tom Preston said: “We have enjoyed phenomenal growth over the past few years through investment in our team, technology, and state-of-the-art facilities. This year alone we have increased our team by 50% and purchased new sites, so we are now geared up ready to hit our targets in the coming years.

“In order to maintain our competitive edge in a busy sector it is vital that we have a robust finance leader and we are confident we have that in Stuart, who will be a real asset not just for Hippo but also for our own lending arm Oasis Motor Finance.

"Hippo is a business which prides itself on customer service excellence, so our people are our most important asset. Stuart has the experience to deliver a strong finance future as well as the skillset and qualities to lead his team and help them thrive.”

Whittle said: "Hippo is a dynamic business and Tom has a clear vision of its future place within the market and how we get there. I am delighted to join the team at this crucial chapter in the Hippo journey and can’t wait to get stuck into the role.”

The Hippo Motor Group is one of the fastest growing finance companies in the UK, boasting 300 staff and selling over 10,000 cars per year.

The group comprises three businesses, Hippo Leasing, Caruno and Hippo Approved, recently rebranded from Hippo Prestige. They also have their own contract hire and Hire purchase finance company Oasis Motor Finance.

The business has offices in Blackburn, Manchester and Luton with further expansion in Derby and Corby coming soon.