Michelin has appointed Lee Hulme as its UK distribution channel and programme manager.

In the new role, Hulme will oversee the manufacturer’s four accredited dealer networks for the motorcycle, car, agricultural and commercial vehicles sectors.

Hulme brings nearly 20 years’ experience with Michelin to the role, having joined the company in April 2001.

Between 2010 and 2015, Hulme worked as a sales account manager at Michelin, working with Michelin’s regional transport customers.

He then joined the procurement team as an industrial services buyer for two years, before being promoted to purchasing manager at the beginning of 2017.

Lee Hulme, UK distribution channel and programme manager at Michelin, said: “The calibre of our dealer partners is incredibly high; they have each been hand-picked to represent Michelin and are amongst the best tyre specialists in the industry.

“My goal is to continue driving the programmes forward, ensuring our partners feel closely aligned to Michelin and have the support they need from us to continue providing the best possible customer experience."

Hulme will also oversee the Michelin Exelagri programme, for dealers which provide a service for farmers, and the Michelin Service Pro programme, for tyre dealers with skills servicing bus, coach and truck fleets.

Hulme will report to Franz Eckkrammer, distribution development director for Micheline Europe North, based in Frankfurt.

Activate Group appoints Turner as new CEO

Victoria Turner has been named as the new CEO of Activate Accident Repair, the body shop division of Activate Group.

Activate Group says its investing £15m to expand the division, opening a further 15 technology-led sites and creating over 750 jobs.

Turner brings extensive experience in the repair and insurance sectors, where she has held several senior-level business roles.

Turner will lead the Activate Accident Repair board, reporting to Hannah Wilcox at a group level. 

Hannah Wilcox, CEO of Activate Group, said: "By investing and expanding we can deliver even better service outcomes and wnd with the greater visibility ownership affords, we can drive cost and service benefits through the repair journey offering a greatly enhanced customer experience.”

Peter McAninch will also take on the role of COO of Activate Accident Repair, transferring from Activate Group.

McAninch brings substantial experience running multi-site body shop operations in the UK and Australia for fleet and insurers.

McAninch will join Turner’s leadership team working to deliver the rapid roll-out of new sites under the stewardship of Activate Group’s non-executive chairman, Paul Pancham.

New appointments at Leasing Gorilla

Leasing Gorilla, has appointed two new staff to meet increasing levels of business demand, the company says.

Charlie Beresford and Lindsey Blakemore join the Staffordshire-based leasing broker in the role of business development managers.

Joining from West Way Nissan, Beresford brings a wealth of dealer experience to Leasing Gorilla, where he was responsible for LCV business development at a national fleet level.

Blakemore is set to add extensive leasing broker experience having previously worked for Freedom Vehicle Contracts as a sales administrator.

Chris Jennings, director of Leasing Gorilla, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Charlie and Lindsey to the team, both of whom bring different skill sets to the business, which will undoubtedly help as our business continues to grow.

“While we saw customers holding back or cancelling orders during March when Covid-19 lockdown started, since then both June and July have been record months and August is set to continue this trend. I think what we are seeing is 12 months’ business compressed into nine.”

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