A&R Vehicle Services has appointed Gary Lay as its new managing director.

Lay has spent the previous six years on the Board of DX (Group), a provider of delivery solutions covering parcel freight, as its support services director.

His career also includes a 20-year stint with Swift Transport Services, as well as roles with Tibbett & Britten, Excel Logistics, NYK Logistics, and Yaxley Coachworks in Peterborough.

He brings a broad range of experience to his new position with A&R Vehicle Services – in addition to his operational roles, he has also had direct responsibilities for everything from procurement and property services, to insurance.

Lay’s appointment brings him back into direct contact with the Bevan Group, which acquired an initial stake in A&R in 2013, then completed the acquisition of its Black Country neighbour 18 months ago.  

Bevan Group’s managing director Anthony Bevan said: “A&R was crying out for the right leadership and we were keen to attract a strategically-focused industry professional who could see the tremendous potential of this business, and has the enthusiasm and skill set to make the most of it.

“Having been a supplier to Gary for a number of years, I had no doubt that he was the right man for the job. I’m delighted that we were able to secure his services and very much looking forward to working with him again.”

Lay said: “I’m inheriting a very loyal, experienced and highly skilled team.  All they’ve been lacking is the right direction and motivation, which is where I come in.”

“We’ll certainly be marketing ourselves more aggressively than we’ve done in the past, because I’m convinced there is significant potential for growth at a company which has been something of a ‘sleeping giant’.

“Not only will we be working to attract orders from operators with which we’ve never worked before, but we’ll also be endeavouring to win new and extended business from established customers.”

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