BVRLA announces new Chair

At May’s AGM, the BVRLA welcomed Jon Lawes as the new Chair of the association, taking over from Nina Bell, who oversaw an extended, three-year tenure due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Current Managing Director of Novuna Vehicle Solutions – a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC – Jon has almost 30 years’ experience in the fleet and leasing industry. He has been on the BVRLA’s Committee of Management since 2015 and was appointed as Vice Chair in April last year.

Commenting on his new role, Jon said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be appointed, especially as we are going through some challenging, yet exciting, times in the automotive industry. I’m passionate about accelerating the transition to alternative fuels, solving society’s challenge to decarbonise and overcome barriers to electrification, the biggest of which being confidence in our UK charging infrastructure.

“I’ve learnt a great deal from my time on the Committee of Management and as Vice Chair and look forward to continuing to deliver key initiatives such as the Plug in Pledge to operate 1.3m plug-in vehicles by 2025. To achieve this, we need the continued backing and support from the Government and Department for Transport to ensure businesses and communities can transition with confidence.”

Alongside the move, Lakshmi Moorthy from Arval UK has been named as the association’s new Vice Chair, while Ryan Johnson (Enterprise Rent A Car), Per Voegerl (United Rental Group), and John Finch (Hertz), also joined the Committee of Management. u We are pleased to welcome Jon into this role and are excited to see what the BVRLA will achieve under his leadership. With a wealth of experience to draw on, supported by his close involvement with the association and the industry’s transition to net zero, Jon will undoubtedly oversee some significant milestones in the coming years.”

“Our gratitude is extended to Nina Bell, who steered the association through the most uncertain, tumultuous period we have ever faced. Under Nina’s leadership, with the support of the full Committee of Management, the BVRLA and its members are emerging from Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and ongoing vehicle supply challenges in a positive position, able to look forward with optimism.

BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney

Value in Expertise

Other notable changes to the BVRLA’s wider team include:

Tim Bailey is the new Chair of the CV Committee

The Leasing Broker Committee named Paul Parkinson as its new Chair

While we also welcomed a host of new experts across our sector-specific Committees

Leasing & Fleet Management Committee

•Corrine Barton, Arval UK

Leasing Broker Committee

•Lee Duerden, XLCR Vehicle Management •Keith Hawes, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts •Mike Thompson, Leasing Options •Paul Bulloch, Concept Automotive

Rental Committee

•Amy Bond, Sixt Rent A Car •Sam Patel, Enterprise Rent A Car