Appointments–4 August
epyx adds a female touch to account management
IT solutions provider epyx has roped in three new Account Managers to cope with demand for its 1link Disposal Network e-commerce platform.
Marianne Caffrey, Mary-Ann Birch and Sarah Mobbs will visit customers like franchise dealers, independent garages and car supermarkets to familiarise them with the system.
They will help new clients understand how set-up alerts when vehicles that match their ideal specifications emerge on the market and show dealers how to use the relatively new Trade to Trade facility, which allows traders to sell vehicles to other traders through the 1link system.
Ken Trinder, Head of Business Development at epyx, said: “More and more trade buyers are joining the platform and, while it is designed to be very intuitive to use, our aim is to get them up to speed and buying through the system as soon as possible, hence the recruitment of our new account management team.
“The volume of sales through 1link Disposal Network doubled in the first six months of 2011, so the platform is growing rapidly. We expect the number of sales through the platform to continue rising through the rest of 2011.”
The 1link Disposal Network is used by large fleets such as leasing companies to sell stock to used car and van dealers.
Alphabet appointments one, two, three
A host of new names have been appeared within Alphabet’s ranks.
Claire Rowland has jumped straight in as Head of Rental of the BMW Group’s fleet funding and management arm while James Williamson has become the company’s new Contract Manager. Less recently, Martyn Gallop also joined as Head of Fleet Management in June.
Leaving her previous role as Head of Sales for Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s fleet sector, Claire Rowland recognised her new position a great opportunity with Alphabet “at a very exciting juncture”.
She explained: “A key area of my role will be to take our rental offering forward both as a stand-alone service and as seamless component of our future mobility programmes.
“Customers will be able to turn to Alphabet not only for their usual rental needs but also for smart mobility solutions in association with our other managed services for company cars, pool cars, grey fleet and accident management.”
James Williamson, who formerly managed Zurich Insurance’s fleet suppliers, has been tasked with optimising Alphabet’s vehicle contracts to maximise value for money for the company and its customers.
Jon Burdekin, Head of Account Management, said: “First-hand knowledge is a key factor in delivering the best service to customers and I am delighted to welcome James to our highly experienced account management team at this significant point in Alphabet’s development.”
Jumping ship after five years with Fleet Logistics, Martyn Gallop has been settling into his duties heading up fleet management for Alphabet.
“The opportunity to join Alphabet, as it emerges as a leading UK and European leasing and fleet management provider, was not one to miss,” commented Martyn.
“Customers increasingly want to outsource non-core areas like fleet, and my role here includes developing our existing fleet and driver management services in line with the needs of the market.”
Alphabet CEO Richard Schooling said Martyn is widely respected within the industry.
“His appointment reflects the strategic importance of fleet and driver management and outsourcing in Alphabet’s development plans,” added Mr Schooling.
Alphabet supplies over 300,000 vehicles in 13 countries, around 47,000 of which are based in Britain.
The Warranty Group taps fresh fields
While Alphabet is busy poaching renowned talent, The Warranty Group has been searching in less obvious spots.
Robert Brown, Kerry Jones and Gavin Smith – the company’s three new regional managers – boast backgrounds in retail, recruitment, training and call centre management and it is hoped their fresh approach and perspective will identify new ideas and skills.
Ian Simpson (pictured), sales and marketing director at The Warranty Group, explained the switch: “We have become increasingly aware that what the key driver for our business in recent years has been the application of new skills and ideas to the process of selling warranties and service plans.
“Because of this, it makes sense for us to look further afield to people who can bring new thinking to the motor industry, and this is why we have looked beyond our sector for our new regional managers.”
Two have already started working with regional dealerships and it seems the approach has been a success.
“They have a refreshing energy and attitude to new ideas, concepts and procedures,” added Ian.
“We are very confident that they will bring something new to the business that will benefit our customers.”
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