Industry jobs: Roles filled at Liberty Charge, Kura, and Real Time Communications

Liberty Charge makes three director-level appointments

Liberty Charge has made three new director-level appointments.

Matt Croucher joins in the newly created role of EV services director, Amanda Pun in another new role as legal director, and Perran Moon as chief marketing officer.

The company said Croucher brings experience in planning, including as the zero-mobility lead at WSP. His experience in the electric vehicle (EV) sector stretches back to 2009, across projects within the public and private sectors.

Pun has experience in the telecommunications industry, having held legal counsel roles at Virgin Media O2 and Cornerstone (CTIL).

Moon has more than 25 years’ experience in the automotive industry and has held marketing roles at ZapMap, Click Dealer, Auto Trader and Manheim.

Neil Isaacson, chief executive officer (CEO) at Liberty Charge, said: “My primary focus is to grow the number of charge points through collaborating with local authorities, working closely with all stakeholders to understand their needs and the best solutions.

“These appointments show that we are absolutely committed to investing in the right experience, talent and genuine dedication to get more charge points in the ground – essential to inspiring EV adoption.”

Real Time Communications appoints new chief product officer

Real Time Communications has appointed Julian Wheway to the newly created role of chief product officer.

Wheway previously held senior roles within Cox Automotive, including product director (retail solutions) and group product director, and was also internet solutions manager at Listers Group.

Richard Robinson, chief operating officer (COO) at Real Time Communications, said: “Last year we deployed over 90 new features and enhancements to our highly regarded aftersales software, launched our business intelligence solution REALinsights to market, as well as making moves internationally following considerable investment in our next generation platform.

“Now with Jules onboard full-time, we are looking forward to more of the same as we continue our plans to support existing customers and continue to grow at scale.”

Kura appoints new finance director

Kura has appointed Caroline Pitt as finance director as it continues to strengthen its management team to scale up operations.

In her new role, Pitt will be managing the business’s finance team, and offering strategic and commercial input to CEO, Godfrey Ryan, and the wider senior leadership team.

Having previously worked at Virgin Media O2, Amazon and HSBC, Pitt was chosen for the role due to her financial and technological background, the company said.

Ryan added: “We’ve appointed Caroline at an exciting time for the business as we accelerate our growth ambitions. Caroline’s previous experience is particularly impressive, and she has the relevant skills and knowledge to ensure the smooth running of our financial operations and assist the wider team with implementing our strategy for scaling up.”

Pitt assumes the position from Kura’s previous finance director, who is retiring following five years at the business.

Zeus hires sustainability expert

Zeus is to take on Dr Christopher de Saxe, currently senior research associate at the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight, University of Cambridge.

De Saxe will be Zeus’s head of sustainability charged with developing commercial pilot programs with electric HGVs and alternative fuels, pushing forward Zeus’s own net zero strategy, and will be the company’s representative on the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) and Sustainable Freight Buyers Alliance, both of which Zeus is a member.

Joining officially in April, de Saxe’s role at Zeus will report directly to COO Alistair Lindsay and will involve developing and applying the GLEC emissions standards throughout the company’s products and services for shippers and conducting research and development of new sustainable freight initiatives and contributing to GLEC’s new standards in greenhouse gas measurement and reductions.

The company said de Saxe has helped design trials for battery electric and catenary electric HGVs in the UK as part of a consortium of university and industry partners. Prior to this he was a principal engineer at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa, where he led international teams solving sustainable freight transport challenges in both developed and developing countries.

Clemente Theotokis, co-founder and joint-managing director at Zeus, said: “Zeus’s appointment of Christopher de Saxe is strengthening our commitment to helping provide radical improvements in sustainable freight which sustainable procurement professionals and transport teams can implement today, right now. His breadth of experience and expertise makes him an ideal fit for the position.”

John Matthews to retire as RAA business development director

John Matthews, business development director has elected to retire from the Retail Automotive Alliance effecting from the end of January 2023.

RAA chairman Peter Fleet will assume his responsibilities on an interim basis pending a future announcement from the Board on a new leadership structure.

Fleet added: “The Board and shareholders of the Retail Automotive Alliance thank John for his seven years of service.

“During this time John has helped lead the successful growth of the RAA and deliver millions of pounds of savings to our shareholder members. We wish John every success in the next phase of his life.”

Matthews added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the RAA shareholders and Board. I am proud of what we have been able to achieve together, and I am sure that the growth and success will accelerate during these very changeable times.”