Greg Taylor becomes MD at Essential Fleet

By Tim Campbell

23 March 2017

Essential Fleet Services has promoted Greg Taylor to managing director.

Taylor joined the business in June 2016 as commercial director, having previously been operations director at ALD Automotive, bringing with him 19 years senior leadership experience in the contract hire and leasing industry. He will lead the board and is responsible for the strategic and operational direction of the business.

Taylor said: “I’m really excited to be leading Essential Fleet at a time of growth and transformation. There is no doubt that this business is now delivering on its great potential. I’m confident that investment in our people, operating sites, technical expertise and owned rental assets, all with the single aim of providing the best possible service to our customers, will bring the continued success that we are all working so hard to achieve.”

Mark Gallimore has been appointed commercial director, and joins Essential on 3rd April from his current role at Alphabet.

Gallimore has previously filled a number of senior management positions, bringing with him a wealth of contract hire and leasing experience. He will lead and develop the existing customer relationships, and grow a customer service support team that brings together all vehicle in life processes including vehicle purchasing, fleet administration and vehicle disposal.

Essential Fleet Services chairman Andrew Cope has significantly increased his investment in the business and since January has been taking an active role as executive chairman.

Cope is a highly recognised and respected figure in the automotive industry, having been chairman at Zenith where he lead the business through a corporate record number of MBO’s, and more recently executive chairman at FMG.

The Essential business had a strong start to 2017 with a number of major contract wins, including Harlow Borough Council, Cardiff City Council, Milton Keynes Education Trust and Ayton Products. The company has also added more than 50 new vehicles to its rental fleet.