Industry jobs: Roles filled at Vansdirect, Leasing Options and VWFS Fleet

Vansdirect appoint Andy Harper as head of sales and procurement

Vansdirect has appointed Andy Harper as head of sales and procurement as part of a new senior management structure.

Harper, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the motor trade, joins from Euro Commercials Mercedes-Benz where he held the position of group van sales manager.

He said: “The opportunity to join a top-performing business with a great reputation was too good to ignore.

“I believe that I can add value, through building relationships with customers but also through mentoring colleagues and leading the team to achieve even greater things.”

Sam Ward, managing director of Vansdirect, said: “Andy is the perfect addition to our team at Vansdirect.

“I took the decision to amalgamate the roles of head of sales and head of procurement to streamline the processes.

“Andy will work closely with each department and his experience, knowledge and expertise will be invaluable in developing his colleagues. I welcome him to Vansdirect and am excited about the future.”

Vansdirect was founded in 1999 in Newport and was acquired by Vertu Motors in January 2019.

Volkswagen Financial Services Fleet appoints new EV expert

Volkswagen Financial Services Fleet (VWFS Fleet) has appointed a new EV expert to help UK fleets transition to electric vehicles (EVs). 

David Watts joins as fleet product manager for EVs, with nearly 27 years in the fleet industry, and 17 years of experience developing fleet sustainability and electrification strategies to support businesses' carbon reduction objectives.

In his role at VWFS, he will offer fleets of all sizes guidance on their transitions ahead of the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans. 

He said: "Each business is at a different point in its EV transition and will face different challenges based on its fleet composition. 

"From encouraging driver adoption to providing expert consultancy on charging infrastructure, I'm here to help businesses tackle the EV transition difficulties.”

Leasing Options promotes Harrison Walsh to head of procurement

Leasing Options has promoted Harrison Walsh to head of procurement to maintain and strengthen existing relationships with manufacturers, funders and dealers.

Walsh, who has been with Leasing Options for nine years, was previously pricing manager and responsible for overseeing the pricing team and function, ensuring competitiveness within the leasing market while also supporting the senior management team managing and expanding key relationships with manufacturers and partners.

Mike Thompson, chief operating officer at Leasing Options, said: “Harrison has been an incredible asset for Leasing Options and this promotion is well deserved.

“As part of his new role, Harrison will be able to further support the senior leadership team while also leading the junior members of our team with their own development within our business.

“This promotion is the first of a number of key developments within our business and we are looking forward to the next six months as we have a lot of exciting plans ahead.”

Walsh added: “Even though I have worked at Leasing Options for nearly 10 years, I have certainly learnt the most over the last three years, working with Mike and re-focusing how we as a business operate and best serve our customers during and post pandemic.

“I am so excited for the next part of my journey with Leasing Options.”