Industry jobs: Roles filled at Northridge Finance, DMN Group, CILT, Swarco Smart Charging, Right Fuel Card and the SMMT

Northridge Finance name Alphabet’s Spencer Halil as new MD

Northridge Finance has appointed Spencer Halil as managing director, replacing James McGee who announced his intention to retire earlier this year.

Halil joins from Alphabet (GB), where he was chief commercial officer, having spent the past 17 years with the BMW group in several senior roles.

He will take up his new position in January 2024, subject to regulatory approval, with James McGee remaining in role until the end of February to ensure a smooth transition.

George Higginson, chairman of Northridge Finance, said: “I am delighted to welcome Spencer to Bank of Ireland UK and to the Northridge Finance team.  Spencer brings a wealth of knowledge and experience alongside a proven record for commercial delivery which will be invaluable to this important part of our business.

“I would also like to pay tribute to James McGee for his leadership, commitment and contribution to Northridge Finance and Bank of Ireland UK throughout his 37-year career.”

Halil said: “Northridge Finance has been a trusted financial services provider for over 60 years, and I am excited to be joining as managing director and to be leading the business through its next chapter.

“It’s a hugely exciting time in the motor finance industry and I look forward to working with the team to provide innovative and sustainable solutions as a strong, dynamic, partner-drive business which serves customers brilliantly.”

CILT appoints new chief executive

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) has appointed Paul Adams as its new chief executive officer.

With more than 20 years of global experience in senior leadership roles, Paul joins CILT (UK) from the Institute of Directors (IoD) where he held the role of national director/chief operating officer for two years.

Prior to this, he held various CEO roles within the charity sector, including CEO of the Civil Mediation Council from 2018 to 2021 and CEO of the Clive Richards Foundation.

He also served for 17 years in the military, including front line service in several conflict zones.

He said: “The profile and significance of logistics, transport and supply chain as a sector has been made ever more prominent since its important role in keeping the country moving during the pandemic and I look forward to building on this momentum in my role as CEO.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to represent such a vital area of the UK economy and look forward to connecting with members and the profession during my tenure.”

Vikram Singla, chair of the board at CILT (UK), said: “After a comprehensive and thorough search for a suitable CEO, the Board has found a strong and passionate leader in Paul.

“His extensive experience in membership organisations, charities and education will help guide the Institute through an important period of growth as we move into the next phase of our journey into becoming the Institute of choice for all those working in the many facets of logistics, transport and the supply chain.”

He will start his new role on December 1 and will be based at the organisation’s head office in Corby, Northamptonshire.

DMN Group appoints Linda Mitchell to fleet role

DMN Group has appointed Linda Mitchell as business development manager for its fleet services division following a period of growth for the business.

Having held similar sales development roles in various businesses, DMN Groups said that she brings a wealth of experience in the remarketing, fleet, and logistics industry, including car auctions and logistics.

She said: “I’ve known Nick, Gary and the DMN team for many years and have a good understanding of their business, so I’m glad to be joining the team at an exciting time for the business.

“I’ve been away from the remarketing sector for a while so am thrilled to be re-entering the sector.”

Nick Chadaway, managing director at DMN Group added: “Linda is a well-known and respected figure within the automotive industry, and we are delighted to have her on board as we expand and diversify within the sector.

“She will focus on delivering a high-quality boutique service and as well as work to develop a consultative approach to delivering our unique solutions.

“Her strengths in sales and marketing, communication, customer retention, client relations, and customer experience make her an ideal person as we look to deliver our strategic business growth plans.”

DMN Group provides automotive solutions across a range of services including logistics and fleet compound solutions all driven and supported by technology and intelligent systems.

SMMT names Mick Flanagan as new president

The 83rd President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) will be Mick Flanagan, vice president for Volvo, JLR, Toyota, Nissan at Adient, has been announced as the 83rd president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).   

Flanagan’s appointment was announced at the SMMT’s annual dinner on Tuesday, November 28.

He will assume office from January 1, 2024, replacing Alison Jones, senior vice president global circular economy at Stellantis, who steps down after completing her two-year tenure.

Flanagan draws experience from a long career in the automotive sector, having worked in the industry for 37 years.

After graduating from University College Dublin with a degree in mechanical engineering, he started his career at Ford Motor Company, spending a decade there before moving to Visteon, where he worked in a variety of manufacturing and product development roles.

He then joined Johnson Controls as a plant manager in 2000, progressing over the years to roles in general management.

Following the spin-off of Johnson Controls’ seating division into global seating manufacturer Adient, he has spent the last seven years in senior management positions in the UK and Germany and is currently responsible for Adient business with JLR, Volvo, Toyota and Nissan, and in addition serves as a board member supporting various international legal entities of the company. 

He said: “I am honoured to accept the appointment as President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

“As we drive forward, adapting our industry to deliver the exciting new realities of a zero-emission vehicle world, and at the same time overcome macroeconomic headwinds, it is crucial that we have a strong trade body to represent, influence and lead all strands of UK automotive.

“I look forward to supporting the SMMT team to do just that, and also want to congratulate Alison Jones on her successful tenure as President and thank her for her strong support.”

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mick Flanagan as the 83rd SMMT President. His wealth of industry experience with vehicle manufacturers and, in particular, global supply chain companies will be a huge asset as both undergo transformation on the road to net zero.

“I would also like to thank outgoing president Alison Jones for her tireless commitment and invaluable support to me and the SMMT over the past two years.

“She has championed our industry at home and abroad, helping ensure the UK is a competitive destination for inward investment and leaves her SMMT role with a substantial and positive legacy.”

Neil Durno joins Swarco Smart Charging as new business manager

Neil Durno has been appointed by Swarco Smart Charging as new business manager for its truck and commercial fleet operations.

He will be tasked with helping more HGV fleets, operators and SMEs access its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure solutions nationwide.

The current chair of the HGV and Commercial Fleets Working Group within Recharge UK, Durno has committed more than a decade of work to advising and delivering next-generation transport solutions and renewable energy.

“Truck and commercial fleet operators want advice from people they can trust, and Swarco Smart Charging can trace its roots in traffic and transport back more than 50 years,” he said. “Of course, businesses want access to the right advice and the right technology – that’s why we take a very consultative approach to customer relationships – but they also need confidence that the company they are working with now will still be around to support them over the long term.

“That’s why I am delighted to have joined the business that is one of the true innovation powerhouses in UK, with a proven track record in delivering future-proof solutions that support our customers’ operational flexibility, reliability and performance.”

Anne Buckingham, MD of Swarco Smart Charging, said: “Neil joins at an exciting time for the industry with the Government announcing the successful bidders for its £200 million zero emission truck demonstrator fund.

“These trials will no doubt give the market the confidence it needs to see a zero-emission heavy goods vehicle fleet as a viable and reliable alternative to diesel.

“We very much look forward to the insight he can bring to help our clients and prospects to simplify complex challenges and create long-term, viable solutions that accelerate progress towards a carbon-neutral future.”

Matthew Briggs named new CEO of Right Fuel Card

Right Fuel Card, part of the Edenred group, has appointed Matthew Briggs as its new CEO. 

Briggs has held a number of executive roles in the automotive sector, starting with building one of the UK’s largest independent motor insurance assessing organisation.

He then joined FMG Support and helped build its fleet incident management business, before moving to Universal Salvage to execute the turnaround, which was successfully completed with its sale to Copart. 

He subsequently became the chief commercial officer at the RAC and more recently he was CEO of AutoProtect Group.

Briggs will take full responsibility for the leadership and development of RFC Edenred, playing a key role in meeting the company's growth goals whilst supporting Edenred’s ‘Beyond’ strategy, aimed at providing value-added services beyond fuel cards to Right Fuel Card’s 30,000 customers.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining RFC Edenred as CEO at a time when the global mobility and automotive markets undergo significant change.

“With change brings opportunity, and I am excited to be working with the RFC Edenred colleagues to develop our proposition and capitalise on the automotive revolution.”