The AA has announced that former Honda fleet sales operations manager and ex-Pendragon B2B director, Marc Samuel, has been appointed head of SME and B2B telesales.

Samuel’s 20-plus years’ experience in the fleet automotive sector will be put to good use overseeing direct sales activity for the organisation’s rapidly expanding suite of SME products and services, says the breakdown and recovery company.

Samuel joins the AA after only being appointed by Pendragon Vehicle Management (PVM) in August, last year. 

He had resigned from his role as fleet sales operations manager at Honda Motor UK two months earlier. 

He had held the position for two years, overseeing a total restructure of the brand’s fleet service offering.

Gavin Franks, director of business services at the AA, said: “It is fantastic to welcome someone with Marc’s history, network and expertise to the AA family.

“He will play a crucial part in engaging with customers to demonstrate the value of our breakdown services, as well as our smart mobility solutions and extended product mix, to help our members benefit from the freedom of driving.”

Samuel added: “I am looking forward to meeting as many of our diverse SME customers over the coming months and assisting them with their bespoke business needs.”

His appointment at the AA coincides with a continuing focus on the SME sector. This includes a recent partnership announcement with the Association for Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE), as well as ongoing collaborative activity with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

The AA has also announced a package of new and existing customer offers to support SMEs navigate their financial and physical return to work.

Franks said: “Our SME customer base is incredibly important to us. These are the businesses which keep us all fed, entertained, make sure the lights are switched on, keep roofs over our heads, and so much more.

“It is only right that we continue to support SMEs, providing the freedom to do business by removing the hassle of running vehicles.”

During lockdown, AA personnel have worked closely with SMEs supplying the health sector, including staffing garages for emergency vehicles, and supporting independent garaging operations via AA Prestige.

AA DriveTech has been working with the retail sector on new driver training, while AA Driving Schools has released free online theory test preparation.

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