Industry jobs: Roles filled at Lightfoot, Drive Software Solutions and Element 2

Lightfoot has appointed Bob Mann as its new chairman to help the company widen its offer to fleets in the UK and beyond.

Mann is currently chair of Openbravo, one.network, Social Value Portal, ethiXbase, and a board member of Zift.

He previously ran the European operations of several US software companies, including Siebel Systems.

Rupert Lyon Taylor, chief executive officer (CEO) at Lightfoot, said: “Bob has invaluable experience in helping tech businesses grow at speed and scale, both domestically and internationally.

“Bob’s expertise in the SaaS sector is unrivalled and will prove a huge asset as we move to develop the business in this direction.”

Drive Software Solutions announce board and management appointments 

Drive Software Solutions has announced board and executive appointments, coinciding with the opening of the company’s Swiss office. 

Scott Fulton, co-chief investment officer of Viva Investment Partners (VIP), joins the company’s board as chairman. He will work with Dr Julie Meyer, MBE, CEO of VIP.

Khasha Mekanik has been appointed as head of business development, working alongside Rob Gorby, chief commercial officer (CCO) at Drive.

Mekanik is a technology investor and entrepreneur who has led investment funds, providing capital to companies. He also brings experience in developing companies from finance to revenue, the company said.

As part of Mekanik’s role, the company is in the process of recruiting more sales manager and function directors, it said.

Tim Shields has also joined the company as chief technology officer (CTO) and will be working alongside Dave Pegg, director of technology and architecture.

Shields is a technologist, who has worked in the financial services, security, and enterprise Software as a Service (SaaS) ecosystem for more than 20 years.

He started his career Logica and has held technology leadership roles with Money Dashboard, Vehnet, Trendzer and RSTO.

Mayer added: “The company is very pleased to appoint Khasha Mekanik and Tim Shields to leadership roles. They bring a depth and breadth of experience which is unrivalled in this market space.

“Drive is keen to recruit more personnel with the experience and vision to turn the company’s potential into a reality.”

Andy Slater joins Element 2

Element 2 has announced the appointment of Andy Slater as head of engineering and asset management.

Slater will lead the firm’s engineering strategy alongside managing the deployment and operation of Element’s portfolio of refuelling stations. He will report to James Harris, Element 2’s CEO.

Slater joins from Bosch Rexroth where he was project manager, responsible for bespoke hydraulic projects from tendering, through to design approval, manufacture, testing, delivery/install and commissioning.

His previous roles over his 20 year-plus year career include senior project roles at BOC Gases.

Prior to this, he held various roles at ITM Power and has experience delivering projects seeking to commercialise the use of hydrogen for large internal combustion engine vehicles, the company said. 

James Harris, chief operating officer, Element 2, said: “Andy’s exceptional engineering background is a great fit for Element 2 as we rapidly scale our refuelling operations

“I’m looking forward to working together to further develop the class-leading quality, asset performance and safety cultures that make our brand so strong.”

PayByPhone appoints Johnny Combe as new global CEO

PayByPhone has announced the appointment of Jonny Combe as global CEO.

Combe, who is already part of the senior leadership team, will work alongside current CEO Andy Gruber, who has been in the role for four years, during a transition period starting July 1, 2022.

Gruber will exit the role effective August 1, 2022, to take up a senior management position within PayByPhone’s parent-company Volkswagen Financial Services AG.

Gruber will also sit on the PayByPhone supervisory board, to which Combe will report, headed by Stefan Imme, chief digital officer at Volkswagen Financial Services AG.

Imme added: “The journey of growth and development that Andy has led over his four years has been incredible.

“On behalf of Volkswagen Financial Services AG, I want to thank Andy for his hard work and dedication.

“As we enter the next stage of growth for the business, we are confident it is in great hands with Jonny.

“His track record of success sets him up well to lead the dynamic and fast-paced PayByPhone Group, ensuring exceptional results.”

Combe, who will relocate from the UK to Vancouver, Canada, will continue to lead the corporate division until a replacement is appointed.

Before taking responsibility for the corporate business, Combe was CEO of the UK market, a position he held for four years.

Prior to joining PayByPhone, Combe held several management roles at BMW Group, looking after its environment, real estate, mobility, and innovation team in EMEA.

OVL Group announces new sales director

Scott Allen has been announced as OVL Group’s new sales director.

Allen has worked for the group since 2005 and will be part of the leadership team in his new position.

Previous sales director, Neil Taylor is still with the group, moving to the role of part time account manager.

Martin Wedge, managing director (MD) at OVL Group, said: “Scott has been an integral part of our sales team for many years and is highly respected and very well-liked by the entire team.

“I have no doubt his progression to sales director will be seamless and highly successful. I would also like to thank Neil Taylor for his support in this transition and am pleased he will be remaining with OVL.”

Easee expands in the UK with new senior hires

Easee has announced two new senior hires in its UK team including the appointment of Csilla Heim as the company’s new country director in the UK.

The company said Csilla aims to grow the size of the business across the country and aims to expand its network of chargers in both the private and commercial sectors.

Heim has led operations for Plugsurfing, working on developing OEM charging solutions, and established a new customer care team.

Following working at Plugsurfing, she has also managed partnerships at EcoG, a Munich based start-up.

Carissa Winters has also been appointed as head of marketing UK.

The company said Easee brings more than 15 years of marketing expertise to Easee, having delivered strategic marketing campaigns for global tech companies, large corporates, and SMEs. 

Winters will oversee all UK marketing activities leading a team specialising in marketing, public relations, social media, and events.

She will be focused on growing Easee’s profile in the UK to help drive the sales of Easee’s electric charging robot to both individuals and commercial customers through targeted and integrated campaigns.

Prior to joining Easee, Winters led integrated global marketing programs for Sony Professional Solutions, and she also managed marketing operations in the enterprise division at LexisNexis.

Heim added: “It’s a hugely exciting time for Easee, and I’m honoured to be leading the company into its next phase of growth in the UK.

“We're on a mission to shape the future of electricity, and I'm looking forward to continuing maximising the power of electric vehicles and helping even more families take their next step in the journey towards net zero.”