A new Area Sales Manager for the South of England has been appointed at PCL Commenting on her new role, Michelle Foord said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting existing customers and looking at where the gaps are to build new business and get a plan in place.”

New appointments have been made at AA Business Services and Drivetech.

A Fleet Consultant has been appointed at Durite. In the newly created role, Adam Wild will support transport operators with vehicle cameras and work closely with insurance and industry bodies.

Lucas Oil Products founder Forrest Lucas has moved on from the role of CEO to become Chairman the company, enabling him and his wife and co-founder Charlotte, to focus on the Lucas Cattle Company, the Lucas Ranch, which spans 16,000 acres in Western Missouri with 4,500 cattle and other personal initiatives.

He said: “Lucas Oil has a rich history and a very bright future. As I transition into my role as Chairman, I am excited at the opportunity to spend more time on different projects as we continue the family legacy of the company with Morgan and Katie. I am confident the work they are doing will ensure Lucas Oil is positioned to meet and exceed the future challenges and opportunities of this market.”

Morgan Lucas added: “Over the past 34 years, my father has become an icon in the oil and additive industry, and I fully support his decision to transition to the role of Chairman. This gives him more flexibility to focus on the ranch and other things he is passionate about, and Katie and I could not be happier for him and my mom. We are excited to carry on his vision and support the strategic direction of Lucas Oil as we guide the company into the future.”

Repairify has promoted Steven Mullen to the role of UK Operations Manager. He has been with the company since 2020

Andy Gratton has been made Managing Director at Ring Automotive, moving up from the role of Financial Director.

Sam Robinson has joined Simply Brands as Business Development Manager. He joins the company from Trico, part of First Brands, where he spent the last 10 years.Prior to that, he was at Currentcare.

Mark Armitage has been made Commercial Director at Autotech Group. He joins from the IMI.Overall he has more than 30 years experience in the sector, starting as an apprentice straight from school. He then worked across dealer groups, the Department of Education, and the RAC in a number of positions encompassing training and business development.

Two new Business Development Manager have been appointed at Maverick Diagnostics.
Matt Oddie, formerly of Opus IVS, and Glenn Hopkins, who joins from GSF Car Parts, will cover the north and south respectively.

PCL has appointed Stephen Redfern as Head of Engineering and Product Development.
Stephen has held a number of product development and design roles at household name brands such as Dyson and Mamas and Papas among others.

Core Diagnostics has appointed Martyn Shaw as ADAS and Diagnostics Specialist.

Richard Welland, M.D at WAI UK , has been named as President of WAI Europe, overseeing all European operations at a time when the company continue towards even closer integration between Britain and the continent

A number of new faces have joined the team at Hella Gutmann. Julian Goulding, formerly of BorgWarner and Delphi, has become the company’s new UK Sales Manager. He has been joined by Key Account Manager Riccardo Sorano, who was previously Business Development Manager at Hella Guttman Solutions.

MAHLE Aftermarket UK has promoted Marta Cameron to the role of Customer Service Manager.

ALLDATA Europe’s has expanded its team, with Aydin Ozmen, Eric Ware, Gerry Clancy and Marta Perlinska all recently joining.

John Cosgrove has joined Autoelectro as its new Business Development Executive.
Earluer in his career, he was Purchasing Manager at AMK Automotive Components, before taking on roles beyond the aftermarket.

Sue McKay, Global Category Manager for commercial vehicles at TMD Friction, has been named as the head of the IAAF’s commercial vehicle (CV) section.

Ring Automotive has appointed Scott Colquhoun as Area Sales Manager for its Special Division, with the encompassing both the Ring and Osram brands.

The new head of the Aftermarket business unit at MAHLE Group is to be Philipp Grosse.

The next generation of Bhogals is stepping up at Autoelectro, with Harnek Bhogal, son of Paul and nephew of Tony and Nicky, now a Director at the Bradford-based company.

Rob Williams was recently named as Chief Operating Officer at Peterborough-based repair and maintenance plan provider RAMP, which is best-known for its Warranty 4 Life offering.

Banner has named Matthew Evans as its new Business Development Manager for the South West and Ireland.

A new Business and Development Manager for the South West and South Wales has been appointed at Point S Tyre & Autocare. Ben Herridge has joined the team to support Point S network members in the region.

Tina Drayson, Operations Manager at Surrey/West Sussex based garage group CCM has been named as the new Head of the IAAF Garage Section, as well as being appointed to the IAAF Council.

Neil Hilton has been named as Technical Sales Director at Core Diagnostics, which is offering cloud-based solution for programming and coding of new parts, along with remote support for ADAS calibrations.

AI Assistant has promoted Helen White to the role of Operations Director.

Nick Williams has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of AX, following a period as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. He brings more than 25 years’ experience, including six years with the RAC, leading its motor claim businesses and associated connected car development.

Chris Jones has been named as Head of Network and Business Development at Eurorepar Car Service.

He brings 27 years’ aftermarket experience with him, following three decades in senior technical and aftersales positions including being a Master Technician for Alfa Romeo and Technical & Aftersales Trainer and a Dealer Quality Manager at FCA. Immediately prior to moving across to Eurorepar, he was Aftersales Zone Manager and Team Leader at Stellantis.

Commenting on his new role, Chris said: “Motor trade professionals are facing tough market conditions, but I firmly believe there is an opportunity for shrewd businesses to adapt and turn a healthy profit. Over the course of my career, I have worked in a variety of technical and operational aftersales roles. Combined with my experience running an independent garage, I think this gives me a strong base from which to take the Eurorepar network to the next level.

Chris Jones replaces Nick Taylor, who as become Head of Aftersales Operations North for Stellantis.

Intelligent Motoring, which provides warranty and insurance services as well a digital garage platform through its MotorEasy and Warranty Assist brands, has appointed Jonathan Anthony as Chief Technology Officer.

Ring has named Martin Barron as its new Area Sales Manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A new International Head of Media Relations has been appointed at LIQUI MOLY.

Craig McCracken, Group Factor Manager at Arnold Clark Autoparts has been enthroned as the new President of the IAAF.

LIQUI MOLY has promoted Debbie Barnes to the role of Managing Director of its UK subsidiary. Previously Regional Sales Manager and National Key Account Manager at LIQUI MOLY UK, Debbie has been with the company for seven years.

Sukhbir Kapoor has been appointed President and COO at GSF Car Parts, as well as as an Executive Director of parent company Uni-Select.

ETB Autocentres has welcomed Jason Clarke as Wholesale Sales Director, as part of an overall shake-up that has included other new appointments.

Tecalemit Garage Equipment appointed Adam Hilton as Sales and Marketing Director. He brings a wealth of industry experience. Immediately prior to joining Tecalemit, he was UK Sales Manager for GSF Car Parts’ garage equipment division.

Tecalemit Managing Director James Devonport observed: "I am pleased Adam has now joined the team here at Tecalemit. I know he will bring unique skills to enhance the company's commercial operations, and both myself and team are looking forward to working with him.”

LKQ Coatings has named Jodie Mullard as its new Head of Channel, who brings over 10 years’ experience to the role via marketing, customer experience and digital positions with a number of companies including Thomas Cook and PPG Industries. She has already spent five years with LKQ Europe, and for the past year acted as Director of Digital Customer Experience. A key element of her new role will be the implementation of a new customer relationship management (CRM) database.

PCL has named Lee Wright as its Managing Director who will be based at the company’s Sheffield HQ, as part of a wider management restructure. Previously, the role was the responsibility of Joerg F Mayer as part of his role as Group Managing Director at PCL parent company HORNGROUP Holding. Joerg F Mayer has assumed the role of Non-Executive Chairman, while Roz Shepherd and Dean Battersby stay respectively as Finance Director and Company Secretary and Operations Director.

Two new Joint Operations Managers have been appointed to oversee activities at Exol Lubricants’ Rotherham plant. Long-term team-member Simon Clegg has been promoted to the role, having previously been Shift Manager, Lab Assistant and Production Operative. Meanwhile, Daniel Hector has followed a similar path, moving up to Shift Manager across two decades, before this latest advancement.

Shaftec has appointed Adrian Kitchen as Marketing Manager, while Jim Harvey has joined the team as Purchasing Manager

A new CEO and M.D for ECP parent LKQ Europe has been appointed.

NGK has named Simon Robson as Key Accounts Manager – UK & Ireland. Immediately prior to joining, he was OEM and Aftermarket Manager at NSK, and has more than 25 years’ experience in the automotive industry.

A pair of new appointments have been made at MAHLE Aftermarket UK. Jason Smith has been named as UK Sales and Marketing Manager. He joined from Ring Automotive, and has 25 years overall sector experience from his career with companies such as Exide and DENSO. Commenting on his new role, he said: “The opportunity to join such a brand like MAHLE was a huge factor in joining the team.”

BorgWarner has appointed Neil Fryer as Vice President and General Manager for its Global Aftermarket Business. In the role, he will be responsible for managing the Aftermarket business which includes the Hartridge, Delphi Technologies and Delco Remy brands.

Integrated salvage, dismantler and vehicle recycler SYNETIQ has named Sarah Hirst as its new Green Parts Director.

Automotive aftermarket intelligence provider GiPA Group has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer. Almudena Benedito has been named as the new CEO, replacing Eric Devos, who remains GiPA Group President. Immediately prior to joining GiPA, Almudena was EMEA Marketing Director at Tenneco/Federal-Mogul, a role she had held since 2012. Before that, she held multiple positions at Delphi Technologies and Matra Automobile. She started her career at Bosch 1994.

Dominic Hunter has been appointed as Autotech Group’s Group Quality Manager, a new position that sits across the Recruit, Training and Academy divisions to ensure compliance across the business. He has worked in compliance with organisations across the private, public and charity sectors for more than 25 years.

The Federation of Engine Re-manufacturers (FER) has appointed Rod Bennett as its new Operations Manager, replacing Owen Laurenson who has moved on after three years in the role.

NGK Spark Plugs (UK) has appointed Rob Hope its new Sales Representative, with a territory that covers parts of Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Jake Prout has been appointed as TMD Friction’s new Area Sales Manager for the South West.