Industry jobs: Roles filled at KPGM, Volta Trucks, Yodel, Whistl, Tracker and Capital Fleet Solutions

KPMG UK appoints new head of automotive

Professional services firm KPMG UK has appointed Richard Peberdy as its new head of automotive.

Peberdy will lead the firm’s team that advises global auto manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and mobility providers across the private and public sector.

His role will focus on building the firm’s network across the sector and assisting clients with their corporate strategy, business change, governance, and compliance, said KPGM.

A senior partner at KPMG, Peberdy has more than 25 years’ experience in the automotive sector and was previously KPMG UK’s head of national markets deal advisory.

Rebecca Shalom, partner, head of defence and manufacturing at KPMG UK, said: “Automotive is going through a period of fundamental change as consumer mobility transforms, climate change drives product design and advances in technology create a revolution in product connectivity.

“We know that to navigate these challenges and the opportunities ahead, both in the short and long-term, businesses right across the sector will need sound advice and insight to support them in delivering their strategies.

“Richard’s experience and expertise will provide our clients with the service and guidance they need to deliver the best outcomes and help drive their businesses forward.”

Volta Trucks announces strategic appointments

Volta Trucks, the full-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer, has announced new strategic appointments to its executive management team.

John Burrows has been appointed as the company’s chief financial officer (CFO), bringing more than 10 years’ experience in venture-backed scale up organisations with fundraising and investor relations knowledge, the company said.

Burrows has previously worked in CFO positions within cyber security, property technology and financial technology lending businesses.

Casper Norden has also joined Volta Trucks as chief strategy officer having been an advisor to the company’s board of directors since May 2019.

For the past four years, he has worked for Peltarion, a Stockholm-based artificial intelligence (AI) software and solutions provider, most recently as CFO.

Prior to this, he worked with start-ups and venture capital investments at EQT Ventures and Crowdcube.

Mornie Robertson has also been appointed as chief human resources officer.

The company said Robertson has extensive experience of automotive start-up companies having held global and European human resources leadership roles for Tesla as well as sitting on the executive board that established INEOS Automotive, in addition to HR roles with Porsche GB and BMW UK.  

Essa Al-Saleh, chief executive officer at Volta Trucks, said: “I am delighted to welcome John, Casper and Mornie to the executive management team of Volta Trucks.

“We are in a period of rapid growth as we accelerate our plans to deliver the world’s first purpose-built full-electric commercial vehicle to the marketplace as quickly as possible.

“We are attracting some exceptionally talented individuals to Volta Trucks, building a team of world-class experts within a nimble and agile company culture.

“We have significant tail winds demonstrated by a very strong order book, driven by Volta Trucks’ unique design and IP addressing sustainability and systemic health and safety issues in urban transport.

“With forthcoming legislation driving a transition from ICE to zero emission fleets, and customer demand, we will continue to build the team to help us deliver on our ambitious objectives.”

The appointments follow as the company revealed its Road-to-Zero Emissions strategy, launching four full-electric commercial vehicles, increasing its projected sales volumes by over 500% and expansion into additional European, US and Asian markets.

Yodel appoints new finance director

Yodel has appointed Andrew Sturzaker as its new director of finance following record business growth over the last year.

Sturzaker brings extensive knowledge and experience in finance to his new role, having worked with multinational organisations in manufacturing, service provision and retail for over 20 years, said Yodel.

He previously worked for Milliken & Co as finance director for the EMEA floorcovering division.

Prior to joining Yodel, Sturzaker was the finance director for the Benelux region at Euro Garages, where he was responsible for controls, processes and financial reporting, both commercial and statutory.

Ben Mitchell, CFO at Yodel, commented: “It’s a pleasure to be able to welcome Andrew onboard and I look forward to working closely with him.

“With more than 20 years’ experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge to this role, which will be vital as we continue to strengthen our offering and grow as a company.”

Sturzaker added: “I am excited to join Yodel at an important time for the business to help maintain the momentum gained in recent years.

“I am hugely optimistic about Yodel’s future prospects and I look forward to finding new opportunities to build the financial support the organisation needs.”

The announcement comes as Yodel reports its strongest ever financial results, upgrading its expected full-year revenues to over £565m for 2021, up from £430m in 2020 and an increase of £30m on previous estimates.

Steve Whittaker appointed as police liaison manager at Tracker

Tracker, the stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) company, has appointed Steve Whittaker as its police liaison manager to help strengthen its anti-crime capabilities.

Working with the head of police liaison, Clive Wain, Whittaker’s more than 30 years’ knowledge and experience of organised crime, brings invaluable insight to the Tracker team, the company said. 

He joins Tracker having spent 32 years in the police, in Leicestershire and South Yorkshire Police, achieving the role of detective chief inspector.

During his time as a detective, he worked as the crime manager in Sheffield, where he was responsible for dealing with firearm cases, serious and complex investigations, burglary, robbery, and vehicle crime.

Whittaker also implemented changes in the re-structure of the district and CID working practices and has also led numerous multi-agency crime reduction initiatives, including creating and delivering a department that dealt with all firearm offences and discharges across the South Yorkshire force, reducing firearm discharge by 35%.

He was also a senior investigating officer in charge of numerous homicide investigations, leading to numerous convictions for murder/manslaughter, where offenders received over 220 years imprisonment.

More recently, Whittaker worked for the National Crime Agency managing a team of investigators on historical child abuse cases.

Clive Wain, head of police liaison at Tracker, said: “The appointment of Steve Whittaker is a great asset to the Tracker Police Liaison team.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help support the innovative ways we are building new commercial partnerships as well as broader collaboration with the police at a local, regional and national level.

“This appointment marks our continued commitment to help identify and close the net on organised vehicle crime networks.”

Whistl appoints new general managers to support fulfilment expansion

Whistl, the independent provider of e-fulfilment solutions, has appointed two new general managers to leads its new warehouse facilities in Lutterworth and Northampton.

Ian Bonser will manage the new Lutterworth facility having previously spent over 20 years at DHL Supply Chain.

Shaun Macavoy who will take up responsibility for both the existing and new facilities at Moulton Park, Northampton, previously worked for the Arcadia Group as head of operations.

Nick Wells, CEO at Whistl, said: “Both Ian and Shaun bring a lot of experience to Whistl which I believe will be crucial for the exciting months that we have ahead of us as we open our new facilities.

“We look forward to welcoming them to Whistl as we begin our preparations for peak, meeting the ever-expanding needs of our long term and new e-fulfilment customers.”

Capital Fleet Solutions welcomes new recruits to sales team

Van leasing, fleet management and financing company Capital Fleet Solutions has welcomed Chris McCauley and Jason Ahmet to its sales team.

Both McCauley and Ahmet have expertise in van set ups and leasing within the drainage sector.

The company said for almost 10 years they have built up a contact list of jetting and van contacts which allow them to advise businesses and franchisees of the best options for them.

Combined with over 20 years’ experience before that in the financial industry, both have a wide understanding of funding options and the finance products available, the company said. 

McCauley and Ahmet have previously worked for indepedents starting or building their drainage company and franchises included Metro Rod, Dyno Rod and Dalrod.

McCauley said: “Capital Fleet Solutions’ approach to doing business was just the perfect fit to us.

“We take the time to really understand the business owner or franchisee and what they need for their business.

"This allows us to advise or suggest van set up options that will maximise productivity and output for the business.”

Ahmet added: “We’ve got great contacts across the sector as well,

“From major jetting machine companies such as Rioned, Andy Guest, Flowplant and Jetchem/Super Jet, to all of the van suppliers, we can source vehicle as per requirements.”