Richard Baird named new sales director at Marshall Leasing

Marshall Leasing has appointed Richard Baird to the role of sales director for the fleet management business that is part of Northridge Finance, whose parent company is Bank of Ireland UK.

Formerly the new business development director at Marshall Leasing, he will be responsible for all sales-related activities overseeing both new and existing customers for Marshall Leasing and Marshall Minibus, as well as being the company’s primary contact point for vehicle manufacturers.

His appointment follows the decision by Jonathan Ross to leave the business at the end of the year. Until then he will continue in his role as marketing director at Marshall Leasing.

Baird was appointed to the board of Marshall Leasing in 2017 and worked closely with the recently retired managing director, Peter Cakebread, for more than 14 years.  He is also a board director at the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).

He said: “I’m thrilled to be stepping into this expanded role, including taking on overall responsibility for Marshall Leasing’s superb relationships with vehicle manufacturers.

“We’ve some ambitious business growth plans and together with our team, I relish the opportunity to work alongside our new managing director, Greg McDowell, in achieving our goals.”

McDowell said: “Richard’s significant fleet management and leasing experience, coupled with a superlative customer focus, will prove invaluable in supporting our customers with their transition to electric vehicles over the coming years.”

Marshall Leasing has a fleet of around 8,500 units comprising cars, light commercial vehicles and minibuses. Headquartered in Cambridgeshire with 40 staff, it provides fleet management services throughout the UK across a broad range of services and businesses. It also operates in the school minibus and bodyshop channels.