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.

Banner has appointed Kevin Roberts as Business Development Manager with responsibility for the north of England and Scotland.

Prior to joining Banner spent 11 years working across the sector at Ecobat Technologies, CES UK and LKQ Euro Car Parts. Before that, he worked in the financial, life assurance and mortgage sector.

Commenting on his new role, Kevin said: “I am delighted to get the opportunity to work for one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of original equipment batteries and within such an important sales territory.”

Kevin will report to Country Manager Lee Quinney, who added: “The whole team at Banner is delighted to welcome Kevin into the fold. He has a proven track record in the automotive aftermarket and we are confident this will prove instrumental in strengthening Banner’s position across Scotland and the north, both of which are important strategic territories."

Melett has appointed Rebecca Johnson as Marketing Executive, with a view to develop the company’s profile via social media, digital marketing and exhibitions.

SMP Europe has promoted Martin Turner to the role of Marketing Director. He was previously the company’s Internet Sales Manager.

WAI has taken on Richard Davies as Business Development Manager. He comes to the company with a background of more than 30 years in in the CV and passenger car sectors.

Paul Cunningham has been appointed as Head of Operations in the UK at asTech, a Repairify company.

The Parts Alliance has appointed Mark Eburne as its new President and COO.
Mark previously had senior roles at a range of organisations across a number of sectors, including Wolseley, National Grid, RAC and TRW. Most recently, he was Chief Executive at building parts manufacturer Sigmat.

The Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS) has named Mike Bewsey as its new Chairman, taking over from Andrew Goddard, who has become Chairman of the United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA).

Online real-time manufacturer data service pricing provider JackFinder has appointed James Onions into the newly created role of Country Manager.

Martin Klein has been named as Schaeffler’s first Sales Manager for Central Europe, Middle East and Africa, and is responsible for activities in 44 countries. He will also take over the from Stefan Knaack, Vice President Global Key Account Management Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket, who has been responsible for the Western Europe region, which includes Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Benelux countries.

Dayco has increased its UK sales team through the appointment of Kevin Lee.

Grant Elrick has been appointed as the new Sales Director for Automechanika Birmingham.

WAI UK Managing Director Richard Welland has been named as the new IAAF President, succeeding Terry Knox who stepped down at the organisation’s AGM in February. 

At the IMI’s recently-held AGM, Professor Jim Saker was appointed as the organisation’s new President .

ALGO has appointed a new Group Sales Director. Jorge Gamboa has taken on the position, in which he is reporting directly to CEO Marco Meliga.

LKQ Euro Car Parts has appointed Donna Fearnley as its HR Director. She brings more than 30 years’ experience to the role, having held senior HR positions at household names including Amazon, Tui and, most recently, Premier Foods.

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation has promoted Mike Smallbone to the position of Head of Membership Development.

Helmut Ernst, head of ZF Aftermarket, is now overseeing all market and product topics of the organisation following the decision of Neil Fryer to leave the company at his own request to take on a new role outside the company.

Gina Hinde has been recruited as marketing manager by Morris Lubricants to build the brand and is excited by the huge potential offered by the job.

Aftermarket recruitment specialists PG Automotive has made two new appointments to its team.