Industry jobs: Roles filled at FMG Repair Services, Epyx, Targa Telematics, TDS Ultra, Fleetclear, Apollo Tyres and HDI Global

FMG Repair Services appoints new operations director

FMG Repair Services (FMGRS) has appointed two new operations directors.

Paul Wrigglesworth has joined the business in the role of operations director – bodyshops to lead the bodyshop teams and help develop operational and financial performance and best practice.

Wrigglesworth has 35 years’ bodyshop experience, including roles at National Accident Repair Group. FMG said he has a strong track record for driving productivity and profit improvements across body repair operations.

Carl Manton has also joined the company as operations director – changes and support services to help lead strategic planning for the future.

He assumes responsibility for identifying opportunities for business improvements and delivering solutions to help optimise performance across the company.

The former head of motor claims at Co-op Insurance and head of operations at Solus ARC, Manton has experience in leading large scales operational functions and delivering programmes of transformational change, said FMGRS.

Claire Owens, managing director (MD) at FMG Repair Services said: “Welcoming Carl and Paul to the senior team is a pivotal moment as I continue to set solid foundations in place for taking the business forward.

“Both Carl and Paul are vastly experienced, knowledgeable, and well-respected figures in the industry and will be huge assets to FMG Repair Services as we plan and structure the business to leverage our strength, capability and capacity for continued growth.”

HDI appoints new UK&I director of motor fleet underwriting

HDI Global SE UK & Ireland has appointed Phil Healy to lead the motor fleet underwriting division.

In his new role, Healy will report directly to Stephanie Ogden, MD UK&I. Healy succeeds Jon Shepherd, who after 10 years at HDI, retires from the company.

Ogden said: “I am thrilled to appoint Phil as our director of motor fleet underwriting.

“Over the last decade John has built a profitable client-centric fleet proposition, and we are therefore incredibly sad to be saying goodbye. However, I am confident that with Phil’s leadership our fleet team will enter its next exciting phase of development and growth.”

Targa Telematics appoints new UK sales director

Targa Telematics has appointed Chris Horbowyj as its new UK sales director for the UK market.

His new role will see him promote Targa Telematics’ growth in the UK, with particular focus on connected vehicles in the fleet management market, establishing relationships with leasing partners and signing new international partnerships in the UK.

With nearly 20 years’ experience, Horbowyj has held various senior sales and business development leadership roles within the telematics industry, having worked for companies including Trakm8, GreenRoad Technologies and Masternaut.

The company said he has experience in securing new business, restructuring channels, launching new partner programmes, structuring operational processes and implement sales management reporting.

He has also acquired skills as a director, with responsibilities for setting up businesses and new divisions, including setting up new office locations, recruiting, training, and mentoring local sales teams, and managing international sales operations outside the UK.

Thomas Smith, UK country manager at Targa Telematics, said: “Having established the UK business in late 2019, we’re confident Chris’ wealth of experience, strong network of contacts, and excellent understanding of the UK connected vehicle market will help us to accelerate our growth in this sector, reflecting Targa Telematics’ expanding presence and strong results across Europe.”

Jim Claridge appointed head of account management at Epyx

Jim Claridge has been appointed head of account management for the UK and Europe at Epyx.

Claridge is now responsible for supporting fleets – most frequently leasing companies – who use the 1Link range of products to support their processes.

Claridge has been with the company since 2005, working his way through roles, most recently as product strategy manager.

Tim Meadows, chief commercial officer (CCO) at Epyx, said: “Jim is widely experienced within epyx and may well know more about the company, its products and its customers than almost anyone. I’m sure he will make an excellent head of account management.”

Epyx said a key element of its corporate plan for the next few years is expansion within Europe, and supporting this growth is also part of Claridge's remit.

TDS Ultra appoints Paul Railston as new MD

TDS Ultra has appointed Paul Railston as its new MD.

His new role will focus on pricing, operational efficiencies and margins. He will be responsible for clients including SSE and SGE.

Managing a team of staff and joining founder Chris Stone and chief technology officer (CTO) John Stean, Railston will be responsible for on boarding a selection of clients.

He will also offer his experience to help support the sales division. The role will include overseeing purchasing, technical administration and logistical planning.

Railston has been MD of Modul-System since 2016 and has experience in change management and transformation including acquisition support.

Drawing on his experience with dealing blue chip companies such as Western Power, Lex Autolease and ISS, his focus will be on project delivery and new business.

Fleetclear recruits project manager

Sai Prudhvi Potta has joined the Fleetclear software development team as project manager, to help with the progression and enhancement of the company’s fleet technology platform – Fleetclear Connect.

Potta will guide the team as a group and on a one-to-one basis and support the development team with new feature developments.

Potta, who has a master’s degree in engineering management and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, has helped develop cloud solutions for companies in both India and the UK.

Apollo Tyres appoints new UK country sales manager

Apollo Tyres has appointed Shobhit Arora as its new country sales manager for the UK.

In his new position, Arora will be responsible for boosting brand awareness and sales in the UK. He will report directly to Paul Eidhof, cluster director North-West at the company.

Arora has more than 14 years’ experience at Apollo Tyres, beginning his career as a graduate engineer trainee for the company in India in 2008.

Since then, he has worked across many areas of the business in India and Europe, most recently as distribution and business development manager at Apollo Tyres’ European headquarters in the Netherlands.

In addition to overseeing Apollo Tyres’ distribution network, Arora has helped re-introduce the Apollo Tyres brand in Europe following its acquisition of Vredestein in 2009.

Eidhof added: “Shobhit is a fantastic addition to the UK head office and will play a pivotal role in supporting our goals for the North-West cluster. He brings a wealth of experience that will be invaluable as we push to meet our strategic growth objectives in the UK and across Europe.”