Volta Trucks has announced Rob Fowler, current general manager of CSR and technical planning at DPD Group UK, as its new chief executive officer (CEO) from February 2020.
Volta’s current CEO, Carl-Magnus Norden, founded the company in May 2019 and during its start-up phase has focused on recruiting a team equipped to execute the company’s roadmap.
Norden remains active in the company and on Volta’s board, and will be responsible for its long-term strategy.
As the new CEO, Fowler will lead the development of Volta’s first prototype vehicle, which is now confirmed to be manufactured in Banbury. It will be unveiled early summer 2020, followed by street pilots together with selected operators in London and Paris in 2021.
He will also be responsible for the onboarding of customers, while further developing the Volta team and its investment proposition.
Fowler brings to Volta significant experience from the UK logistics industry, having spent the last five years in senior roles at DPD Group.
In his role at DPD, Fowler has been leading its UK electric vehicle (EV) strategy and CSR programmes, with a particular focus on urban logistics, EV deployment, the development of charging infrastructure and stakeholder engagement.
In January, James McGoldrick formally joins Volta as chief financial officer (CFO) after working for the company since July 2019 as a financial consultant.
He brings significant pan-European fundraising and corporate finance experience from his previous roles in the Investment Bank at JP Morgan. Prior to this, he worked as an accountant for Deloitte UK.
Volta also recently appointed Max Ahlborn as its chief communication Officer (CCO). Prior to this role, Ahlborn was special advisor to Sweden’s Minister of Education, headed up the digital communication for the Swedish Green Party during its most successful election in 2014, and served as MD of communications agency, B-Reel, out of its New York office.
Ahlborn’s entrepreneurial experience includes co-founding digital agency, Acne Digital and social platform, Copabet, as well as setting up international technology conference, Gather.
Norden said “We’ve had a busy few months getting Volta started, and with Rob, James and Max now in place to form our C-level team together with my co-founder and CTO Kjell Walöen, we are ready to enter the next phase of development.
“Our work has already gained a lot of traction from the industry, decision makers and the public alike, further proving that there is a real need for our trucks to hit the roads as soon as possible.
“Rob has an extraordinary résumé having helped bring sustainability and electrification to the parcel delivery services industry, James brings a fantastic network from his time in investment banking, and has already proven an invaluable team member supporting Volta over recent months, Max brings a crucial, yet rare combination of governmental and commercial communication expertise.
“With our new C-level executives and industry partners on board we now have a world-class team and feel confident that we can deliver on our promise to bring sustainability and safety to cities across Europe and beyond.”
Fowler added: “A widespread environmental awareness amongst consumers and corporations, regulatory changes, and a clear desire from current business leaders to decarbonise transport has put pressure on operators to embrace innovation and deliver change.
“Volta strives to be at the forefront of this change, and I believe it has the potential to become the international market leader.
“Carl-Magnus and the team have already laid the groundwork for Volta to become an outstanding business and I look forward to helping the company - and its vehicles - achieve full potential.
“We live in an increasingly urbanised world with the daily lives of people living in major cities affected by city transportation. Not only will Volta Trucks deliver commercial value for transport operators, but also environmental and safety benefits improving the quality of life and health of city dwellers. This is a truly worthwhile mission of which I am very excited and proud to be a part.”
The appointments of Fowler, McGoldrick and Ahlborn follow a significant start-up phase for Volta Trucks, during which key UK partnerships were announced with industry leaders Prodrive and Magtec which join Conjure and Astheimer in the development of Volta Trucks prototype vehicle.
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Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.
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