Industry jobs: Roles filled at Autoglass, Cazoo, AutoProtect, IAAF, Samsara, Swarco and RHCV

Autoglass names Chris Abbotson as new national sales manager

Autoglass has appointed Chris Abbotson as national sales manager to lead the company’s commercial team.

Part of the senior leadership team for more than 13 years, he steps into this new role having previously worked as commercial manager and senior business manager for the company.

As national sales manager, Abbotson will lead the commercial sales team across fleet, insurance, leasing, rental and trade.

A key focus will be on maintaining strong relationships with clients and driving account development, as well as generating new business opportunities across all parts of the business, said Autoglass. 

Abbotson says he can’t wait to get started in this new role. “I look forward to exploring opportunities to work with potential clients across all markets segments to demonstrate the fantastic service Autoglass can offer to help solve their problems with real care,” he added.

Abbotson has nearly 25 years’ experience in sales and sales management across the insurance and automotive sectors, having previously held roles at Aon, Allianz and Shell.

In his previous roles at Autoglass, he managed clients in both the insurance and leasing sectors and was responsible for the delivery of a commercial strategy across all market segments.

Neil Atherton, Sales and Marketing Director at Autoglass, said: “I am confident that Chris has the experience and knowledge of both our clients and the broader industry to ensure we can continue supporting clients with our market-leading offering”.

Luciana Berger joins Cazoo board

Luciana Berger will join the Cazoo board as a non-exec director and ESG Committee Chair following the completion of its tie-up with Ajax

Berger is currently managing director of advocacy and public affairs at Edelman UK, specialising in health, sustainability and energy policy.

She also served as the MP for Liverpool Wavertree for almost a decade and was the shadow minister for energy and climate change, shadow minister for public health, shadow cabinet member for mental health between 2010 and 2016, and after leaving the Labour Party was the Liberal Democrat shadow spokesperson for health, social care and wellbeing in 2019.

Berger will become the chair of environment, social, and corporate governance (ESG) committee at Cazoo.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining Cazoo as a non-executive director at such an important moment in the life of the company.

“Cazoo is already one of the UK’s great success stories, making life easier for thousands of customers in ways which are ethical, transparent and environmentally sustainable.

“I know Cazoo takes its corporate responsibility very seriously.  That’s one important reason why I am excited to be joining Alex and the team.”

Online vehicle retailer Cazoom, which was founded in 2018, recently announced it will list on the New York Stock Exchange through a $7 billion business combination with AJAX I, a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company founded by renowned US investor Dan Och.

The transaction is expected to complete in Q3 this year when Berger will take up her role on the Cazoo board.

AutoProtect names Tim Hudson as new chief sales and marketing officer 

AutoProtect Group has appointed Tim Hudson to the newly created role of chief sales and marketing officer.

Hudson has extensive experience in the automotive industry in the UK and overseas, including senior board and C-level roles in the leasing, manufacturer, auction and most recently automotive data and software sectors.

AutoProtect Group CEO, Matthew Briggs, said: “We are determined to be at the forefront in leading positive change finding different and innovative ways to serve our customers. Tim’s experience and enthusiasm will be invaluable in leading this strategy.”

Hudson said: “The car distribution sector is already undergoing disruption and this will only accelerate. It’s up to forward-looking players like AutoProtect Group to lead the call for disruption from within.

“Challenging the existing model is not a threat; it is an opportunity. I’m looking forward to the positive discussions and actions that we and our partners, existing and new, can create to deliver fresh, agile support propositions that make us vital to vehicle buyers/users.”

Philip van der Wilt joins Samsara

Samsara has appointed Philip van der Wilt to lead its European operations based in London.

He joins Samsara from ServiceNow where he most recently served as senior vice president and general manager of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Prior to ServiceNow, he was vice president of EMEA sales at CommVault and held numerous sales roles at EMC and EMC companies.

Andy McCall, chief revenue officer at Samsara, said: "We have a fantastic foundation in the region and a tremendous opportunity to continue to grow.

“Philip's experience building and scaling companies across multiple markets and product categories is one our team and customers will benefit from greatly in the years to come."

In the past three years, the company has expanded its footprint to the UK, Germany and France - and serves a broad base of customers including Uniserve Group, Sovereign Speed and Stafex.

Van der Wilt said: "In just three years, they have developed leading products, expanded to three markets, partnered with innovative customers and built a strong team who understands the nuances of each region.

“I'm looking forward to bringing my experience building ServiceNow's business in Europe to Samsara."

Swarco eVolt appoints Lindsay Yeoman as new strategic lead

Swarco eVolt has appointed Lindsay Yeoman as the new strategic account manager for Scotland.

Yeoman joins the business with a wealth of experience in the industry, having most recently been the strategic delivery lead for zero emission fleets and infrastructure at Transport Scotland, supporting the transition of more than 3000 public sector cars, vans and HGV’s to electric. 

After graduating with a BA in business, IT and management, his early career was spent in a series of business development and management roles across both the automotive and public sector.

He said: “I am delighted to have joined Swarco eVolt at such an exciting time for the business and a pivotal point in the EV adoption curve. 

“I look forward to playing my part in supporting organisations across Scotland embrace EV’s, by providing advice and solutions to simplify the EV charging experience.”

IAAF appoints Mark Field as chief executive

Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has appointed Mark Field as its new chief executive, succeeding Wendy Williamson who is retiring later this year.

Field has worked with the IAAF through the Federation’s PR representative, Impression Communications, for the past nine years and will assume chief executive responsibilities from July 1.

He said: “I am honoured to be heading up the IAAF in what is both an exciting and challenging time for the automotive aftermarket.

“We will look to continue the modernisation of IAAF during a period of immense change, bringing new opportunities, ideas and value to the growing membership.”

David Templeman appointed as RHCV’s new warranty and contracts manager

East Midlands Renault trucks distributor RH Commercial Vehicles (RHCV) has appointed David Templeman to the new role of warranty and contracts manager.

Having a dedicated contracts manager will enable the business to offer customers wider contract services included fixed maintenance to keep vehicles on the road, says RHCV. 

Templeman has been with RHCV for over 10 years (including eight years as dealer point manager at RHCV’s sites in Nottingham and Alfreton).

He will be based at RHCV’s headquarters on Blenheim Industrial Estate in Bulwell (Nottingham) but will support RHCV’s growing customer base from across the region.

He said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this new role. This is a great opportunity for me to use my knowledge and skills to support our customers and continue to expand and grow RHCV.”

The dealer has grown from one site, to now five sites across the East Midlands and a team of 140.