Changes at the top in Kwik Fit Fleet as Peter Lambert retires
Kwik Fit | Wednesday 22nd February 2017 11:18am
- Peter Lambert retires as Kwik Fit GB fleet director after more than 30 years in the motor industry
- Andy Fern joins from Michelin as fleet sales director
- Simon Lucas promoted to the newly created role of customer support director for Kwik Fit GB
New top management appointments have been announced to lead Kwik Fit GB’s fleet operation following the decision of Peter Lambert to retire from Kwik-Fit on March 31, 2017.
Mr Lambert has been Kwik Fit GB fleet director for almost seven years and his retirement sees the recruitment of Andy Fern as fleet sales director and the promotion of Simon Lucas to the newly created position of customer support director for Kwik Fit GB.
Mr Fern, who joined Kwik Fit GB on February 1 following an 18-year career with Michelin, will assume his new role with overall responsibility for fleet sales on April 1. Reporting directly to Kwik Fit GB managing director Kenji Murai, Mr Fern has a wealth of fleet industry knowledge latterly as Michelin’s national fleet sales manager.
Meanwhile, Mr Lucas, currently Kwik Fit Fleet’s operations director, retains responsibility for Kwik Fit Mobile, which numbers some 200 vehicles, and the management of the company’s Customer Support Centre in Tannochside, Scotland, serving both fleet and retail customers. He also reports directly to Mr Murai.
Mr Fern spent the initial part of his Michelin career in motorsport culminating in five years working with the McLaren F1 team and attending 88 grand prix, working with drivers of the calibre of Kimi Raikkonen, David Coulthard and Juan Pablo Montoya. He spent the last decade in sales roles at Michelin progressing from account manager to key account manager to national fleet sales manager.
Mr Fern said: “During that time I’ve worked with many parts of the Kwik Fit business in my capacity as a tyre supplier, essentially I liked what I saw and always wondered if one day I’d become part of the Kwik Fit team. I am a big believer in quality of service, I like things to be done efficiently and done well. Kwik Fit has been investing significantly in recent years in its network of centres and mobile vans, all in the aim of providing fleet customers and company car and van drivers with even further improved service levels.”
Looking to the future, Mr Fern said: “Kwik Fit is the established number one provider to fleets in its market sector and it is critical that the company stays ahead of the game: the fleet market and the number of tyre sizes continues to evolve. Fleet customers require their tyre brand of choice to be fitted at a time and place that’s convenient for them, Kwik-Fit Fleet is well positioned to be the benchmark for many years to come.”
Mr Lucas has spent more than 30 years working in the UK fast-fit industry including two spells with Kwik Fit, which he joined for a second time in 2004 as operations director for Kwik Fit Mobile. His role was enhanced in 2006 when he was promoted to fleet operations director assuming responsibility for the fleet call centre in Scotland.
On his expanded role, Mr Lucas said: “A number of new fleet initiatives have been launched in the last two years, including most recently Fleet Web Bookings, and Tannochside has been central to supporting those developments.
“Kwik Fit has a number of exciting new customer-focused initiatives planned for launch over the coming months and years and their development will result in an expansion and enhancement of the range of services offered through Kwik Fit’s Customer Support Centre.
“Additionally, Kwik Fit is seeking to further advance the ‘Mobile7’ service into areas outside of the M25 ensuring that a seven-day a week Mobile fitting service is available to the majority of fleet drivers.
“Major developments and initiatives are in the pipeline that will ensure Kwik Fit retains its fleet leadership position.”
Mr Lambert, has spent more than 30 years working in the UK motor industry. Prior to joining Kwik Fit in 2010, he held a variety of roles with Ford, Toyota and DaimlerChrysler. At DaimlerChrysler he was sales and marketing director for Mercedes-Benz Vans and managing director of Chrysler UK.
On his retirement from Kwik Fit, he said: “During my career I have been privileged to have worked for some outstanding companies. Over the years I have had some inspirational bosses who influenced the development of my own management style which includes, being well organised, always having a positive attitude and most important of all your integrity is priceless.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Kwik Fit and I am pleased to say that I have accomplished everything that I set out to achieve. Kwik Fit Fleet has an excellent team with the potential to achieve great things in the future.
“It is now time for me to move on and as one chapter closes I am looking forward to what will unfold in the next.”
Mr Murai said: “Peter has, during his time with Kwik Fit, improved the efficiency of Kwik Fit Fleet and he has built excellent customer relationships. His dedication and professionalism has undoubtedly enhanced our business and played a significant part in helping to develop our fleet mechanical proposition.”
Notes to editors
About Kwik Fit
The Kwik Fit Group is the largest independent automotive parts, repair and replacement specialist in Europe and one of the largest in the world.
Kwik Fit has national UK coverage of more than 600 service centres and 200 mobile tyre fitting vehicles, making it the UK’s leading tyre, exhaust, brake and MOT specialist.
The Group, which includes Kwik Fit Netherlands, as well as the UK operation, was established in 1971 and is now owned by the Japanese Itochu Corporation.
Kwik Fit Fleet is a major supplier to many of the country’s leading contract hire and leasing companies and outright purchase fleets.
The fast-fit company’s status as the corporate
sector’s number one supplier for its comprehensive one-stop shop of fast-fit
services is underlined by the fact that it has won more than 80 industry and
customer awards in its 30-year history.
