Our leadership

Key areas of expertise:

Avril has more than 25 years’ experience in leading businesses in the automotive industry in a number of senior executive and non-executive roles and was appointed as Non-Executive Chairman in August 2019

Current external appointments:

Currently executive Chairman of Constellation Automotive Group.

Previous experience

Previously held roles as Non-executive Chairman of Quartix plc, Non-executive Chairman of Redde plc, Executive Chairman of Stobart Group and Chief Executive Officer of Autologic Holdings plc and of Universal Salvage plc, Non-Executive Chairman of Safe Harbour Holdings plc

Joined Board:

August 2019

Committee membership:

• Remuneration Committee
• Nominations Committee Chairman

Key areas of expertise:

Martin was appointed to the Board as CEO in February 2020 as the former CEO of Redde plc, having been on the Board of Redde plc since 2009, after joining a subsidiary of the Group as Managing Director in 2005. Martin has over 25 years’ insurance industry and vehicle sector experience.

Current external appointments:

None.

Previous experience

Jointly founded the Rarrigini & Rosso Group in 1994, a leading independent wholesale motor fleet, property and risk management insurance business, which was later acquired by THB plc in 2003. Martin has an MBA from Durham University.

Joined Board:

February 2020

Key areas of expertise:

Philip was appointed as CFO in July 2018. He has extensive experience in senior finance roles across a range of sectors worldwide.

Current external appointments:

None.

Previous experience

Regional Finance Director Asia Pacific of SABMiller plc and before that he was the Group Director of finance and control. Prior to SABMiller, Philip held several senior positions at BBC Worldwide, the largest commercial arm of the BBC, including three years as group CFO and Board Director. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, having trained with KPMG.

Joined Board:

July 2018

Key areas of expertise:

John was appointed to the Board as a Non-executive Director in January 2019, Senior Independent Director in September 2019 and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee in May 2022 and has a wide range of experience in a number of executive roles in the consumer goods and logistics sectors and non-executive roles across a range of other industries.

Current external appointments:

None.

Previous experience

John was Chairman of V Group until December 2020. Other previous non-executive roles include Non-Executive Director of Wincanton plc, Senior Independent Director and Remuneration Committee Chairman of Electrocomponents plc, Chairman of NHS Blood & Transplant, Chairman of Marken Logistics and Chairman of In Kind Direct, a Prince’s charity. Chief Executive Officer of Ceva Logistics Ltd between 2007 and 2012. Before that, John worked for Exel plc/DHL where he led the EMEA logistics business and, prior to that, held a number of senior global supply chain appointments with Procter & Gamble.

Joined Board:

January 2019

Committee membership:

• Audit Committee
• Remuneration Committee Chairman
• Nominations Committee

Key areas of expertise:

Mark was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee in September 2019; since 2020 he has chaired the Audit Committee. Mark has more than 20 years’ public company experience including international accounting, corporate finance and banking transactions, as well as sitting on a number of public company boards.

Current external appointments:

Currently a Non-executive Director of Zytronic plc.

Previous experience

More than 20 years’ public company experience working predominantly for GPG (UK) Holdings plc, the UK investment arm of Guinness Peat Group plc, where he managed a significant proportion of group investments. Previously held roles as Non-Executive Director for National Milk Records plc and AssetCo plc.

Joined Board:

September 2019

Committee membership:

• Audit Committee Chairman
• Remuneration Committee
• Nominations Committee

Key areas of expertise:

Bindi was appointed to the Board as a Non-executive Director in May 2022. Bindi brings deep experience in technology and innovation having held senior board, investment and advisory roles across the technology ecosystem in Europe.

Current external appointments:

Bindi is currently a Venture Partner at Molten Ventures Plc, a European Technology Venture Capital Fund. She is also a Non-Executive Director at Telecomms plc. Bindi is also an advisory board member of CognitionX, Humanity Health and Wrisk Ltd and a World Economic Forum member for the Digital Leaders of Europe. Bindi also serves on the University of East London Board of Governors, where she is also Chair of the Ethics Advisory Committee.

Previous experience

Bindi has previously held a variety of senior technology roles, including as a Digital Advisory Board member at The Very Group and Centrica, as well as senior roles at Silicon Valley Bank, Microsoft Ventures and PwC.

Joined Board:

May 2022

Committee membership:

• Audit Committee
• Remuneration Committee
• Nominations Committee

Key areas of expertise:

Mark was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director in February 2020. Mark had previously joined the Board of Redde plc as Non-Executive Director in March 2009, chairing the Remuneration Committee for a large part of his tenure. He brings extensive sector management and commercial experience, having spent six years as CEO of Avis Europe plc.

Current external appointments:

Adviser to CVC Capital Partners, as well as Chairman of the Warwickshire CCC Board and Non-Executive Director of European Professional Club Rugby

Previous experience

Prior to Avis, Mark was Group Managing Director of Thomas Cook’s global travel and foreign exchange business and before that spent seven years with Midland Bank International in corporate finance and international operations. He was CEO of Premiership Rugby until July 2019. Previously held non-executive directorships with HMV Group plc, Umbro plc and Horserace Totalisator Board (Tote).

Joined Board:

February 2020

Key areas of expertise:

Nicola was appointed to the Board as a Non-executive Director in November 2022. Nicola is a well-known figure in the employment law world with significant experience advising public companies and other clients on people issues and governance, and on their strategic initiatives such as those relating to diversity and workplace culture.

Current external appointments:

Nicola is a partner in the London office of Linklaters LLP, she is also a Trustee of the Global Media Campaign to End FGM, Governor at Royal Russell School and Non-Executive Director at Kent Football Association.

Previous Experience

Nicola headed up the global employment and incentives practice of Linklaters LLP from 2014 until 2021 and has also sat on Linklaters LLP’s Remuneration Committee and London Executive Committee. Nicola is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and is a CEDR accredited mediator.

Joined Board:

November 2022

Committee membership:

• Audit Committee
• Remuneration Committee
• Nominations Committee

Key areas of expertise:

Martin was appointed to the Board as CEO in February 2020 as the former CEO of Redde plc, having been on the Board of Redde plc since 2009, after joining a subsidiary of the Group as Managing Director in 2005. Martin has over 25 years’ insurance industry and vehicle sector experience.

Current external appointments:

None.

Previous experience

Jointly founded the Rarrigini & Rosso Group in 1994, a leading independent wholesale motor fleet, property and risk management insurance business, which was later acquired by THB plc in 2003. Martin has an MBA from Durham University.

Joined Board:

February 2020

Key areas of expertise:

Philip was appointed as CFO in July 2018. He has extensive experience in senior finance roles across a range of sectors worldwide.

Current external appointments:

None.

Previous experience

Regional Finance Director Asia Pacific of SABMiller plc and before that he was the Group Director of finance and control. Prior to SABMiller, Philip held several senior positions at BBC Worldwide, the largest commercial arm of the BBC, including three years as group CFO and Board Director. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant, having trained with KPMG.

Joined Board:

July 2018

Harvey is one of our biggest customer champions and knows just what our customers need, now and in the future. With over 20 years’ experience at FMG, in 2020, Harvey was appointed Managing Director of the claims and management businesses which include FMG, Auxillis, FMG Repair Services and NewLaw.  In March 2024 Harvey was appointed COO with responsibility for all UK&I businesses.

Jorge knows all there is to know about van rental services in Spain, having been the CEO of Northgate Espana since 2019, focussing the business and colleagues on building an ever-evolving array of mobility solutions that are unique to the Spanish marketplace. Jorge draws on over 15 years of experience leading strategy, business development and operations functions for industrial and rental companies as well as almost a decade at a global strategy consultancy.

Katie leads on strategic identification and assessment of the opportunities open to the Group, to support our growth aspirations. Understanding market dynamics to drive investment in the key areas of our business, and looking for options to enhance our capabilities, performance, and keeping our customers moving smarter. Katie was previously Corporate Service Director, with strategic and operational oversight for our Group corporate functions, having started at Northgate as General Counsel and Company Secretary in 2016.

Emma is passionate about organisational culture and effectiveness and leads our people strategy, making sure we invest in the talent and skills our business needs to be successful both now and in the future. Emma joined us as HR Director in April 2024 from Sage, where she spent the last decade in global senior HR roles, having previously led HR and Talent teams at the Co-op and Coca-Cola.

Matt has over 20 years’ experience in leading and building legal functions in listed and private companies in both the UK and the Middle East.  He has particular expertise in developing and deploying governance systems in large international organisations as well as successfully addressing complex legal challenges with multiple stakeholders.

Harvey is one of our biggest customer champions and knows just what our customers need, now and in the future. With over 20 years’ experience at FMG, in 2020, Harvey was appointed Managing Director of the claims and management businesses which include FMG, Auxillis, FMG Repair Services and NewLaw.  In March 2024 Harvey was appointed COO with responsibility for all UK&I businesses.

Richard is our UK&I – focused numbers expert and has been our UK&I Group FD for Redde Northgate since August 2021, with overall responsibility for the Finance function. He joined Redde Northgate in 2018, holding a variety of roles including Head of Group Strategy, FP&A and Investor Relations. Richard has had several senior finance and accountancy roles for nearly 25 years, principally in the financial services sector.

Tim is our go to expert on our fleet and service provision. He joined Northgate as Fleet Director in March 2018 and is responsible for all Fleet and Branch Operational activities for the Northgate and Auxillis brands. He has over 30 years of experience in the vehicle rental industry having worked both in the UK and Germany in various roles including Fleet Director for National Alamo/Europcar.  Tim serves on the Management Board of the BVRLA (industry body) and chairs the Commercial Vehicle Committee.

Mel joined the Auxillis business as Managing Director in February  2024.   Mel has extensive industry experience having worked as Claims Operations Director and NED within the insurance industry together with  senior management roles within the credit hire industry.  Mel is passionate about providing exceptional service for existing customers and is passionate about building exceptional teams.

Neil is one of our biggest customer champions and knows just what our customers need, now and in the future. He joined Northgate as the UK Sales & Marketing Director in 2017 and has extensive industry experience including previous roles as CEO of Nexus and Vice President at National and Alamo Rent a Car UK & EMEA. In 2024 Neil was appointed Managing Director of our Northgate UK&I rental businesses.

With 37 years’ experience in the accident repair industry, Paul has worked across a variety of areas from dealership and independent bodyshop groups, to end of lease refurbishment centres. Specialising in operational management, Paul joined FMG Repair Services in 2022 as our Operations Director, being appointed Managing Director in September 2024. Paul brings a wealth of industry knowledge and leadership expertise, driving operational excellence and growth across the business.

Steve is proud to lead a team who are experts in managing personal injury claims for corporate customers, as well as other legal support for private clients such as wills and probate advice. He joined NewLaw in 2019 and was appointed Managing Director in 2022. Steve draws on longstanding experience in senior roles within the insurance, investment management and legal services sectors.

As Managing Director, Andy takes responsibility for FMG’s incident management business, drawing on his wealth of knowledge, expertise and influential leadership. Joining FMG in 2015, he was appointed Sales Director in 2019. Andy has been widely instrumental in driving sustainable growth across new and existing markets, positioning FMG as the UK’s leading accident management provider, reflecting his commercial expertise in the fleet, insurance and vehicle recovery sectors.

Emma is passionate about organisational culture and effectiveness and leads our people strategy, making sure we invest in the talent and skills our business needs to be successful both now and in the future. Emma joined us as HR Director in April 2024 from Sage, where she spent the last decade in global senior HR roles, having previously led HR and Talent teams at the Co-op and Coca-Cola.

Diane is our technology expert, helping us transform and keep pace with new technology and the digital needs of the business and customers. She joined Redde Northgate as Chief Information Officer in November 2020, having had extensive previous experience across a range of multinational businesses including in the food manufacturing, retail, and IT Services sectors.

Jorge knows all there is to know about van rental services in Spain, having been the CEO of Northgate Espana since 2019, focussing the business and colleagues on building an ever-evolving array of mobility solutions that are unique to the Spanish marketplace. Jorge draws on over 15 years of experience leading strategy, business development and operations functions for industrial and rental companies as well as almost a decade at a global strategy consultancy.

Roberto is our numbers expert in Spain. He joined Northgate Spain as CFO in 2021 from DS Smith a leading packaging solutions provider where he led the FP&A function for Southern Europe. Roberto brought extensive experience with him to his current role, having had various financial and strategic planning responsibilities across multinationals including the Uralita Group and URSA, where he was the financial director of its subsidiary in Russia.

Nacho knows just what our Spanish fleet customers need from us to support their business. He joined our Spanish business in 1997 and was appointed Director of Fleet in 2003. Nacho is responsible for the acquisition and management of our fleet in Spain.

Eduardo is our sales and marketing expert in Spain. He joined Northgate in 2004 as Commercial Director having acquired lots of experience in similar roles for LeasePlan, Wolters Kluwer and AIG Life. Eduardo leads all the commercial divisions, marketing and communications teams in Northgate Spain.

Begoña helps our business grow in Spain. She joined Northgate in 2004, assuming the delivery of our commercial objectives across the north and south zones of the Spanish business in 2008. From 2011, she expanded her remit to include responsibility for the central zone and the Canary Islands, being appointed as Director of Operations and Development of Northgate Spain in August 2022.

Pedro focuses on promoting the personal and professional development of the entire team so that we can provide better service to our clients.
His extensive experience at Northgate gives him a comprehensive vision that is very valuable for this position, and his extensive experience in the HR sector supports him.

José is our systems and project expert. Joining Northgate in 2016 he led and defined the commercial and operational strategy of the Northgate Workshops Business Unit, ensuring its implementation. With a career in engineering and consultancy in industrial organisations, José is now responsible for our systems and project development.