Arval is pushing ahead with growth plans for the corporate and retail sectors after assembling an expert commercial leadership team.

Elliott Woodhead, UK retail director at Arval

The fleet and leasing specialist has appointed Elliott Woodhead as retail director, completing the Arval UK executive team, which also welcomed Mike Curtis as corporate sales director in July 2023.

Woodhead will lead the fleet and leasing specialist’s retail sales team, which provides specialist support for key partners including brokers, dealers, white label brands, direct customers and non-automotive partnership channels.

His appointment will help drive the increase and use of products such as Arval Re-Lease – the firm’s used vehicle offering – as well as the introduction and offer of the Arval Ignition salary sacrifice arrangement via brokers and dealers within this business area.

The company says it’s also working on some exciting new retail partnerships, which will be announced shortly.

Joining Arval in 1994, Woodhead has fulfilled a number of key roles across IT, product development and sales in the UK. He most recently held an international role as group remarketing director in the company’s Paris head office, where he was based for the last four years.

Elliott said: “Retail is a fundamental channel for our business, accounting for around 107,000 vehicles in the UK. The experienced team represents both a substantial investment and a highly promising opportunity for further growth, despite the current challenging market environment. I’m excited to head up a highly capable team who have enabled strong growth and progress to be made over recent years, including securing several sector specific awards.”

Corporate sales director Mike Curtis has already spearheaded growth

Mike Curtis leads the company’s commercial sales activities for customers running fleets of 50 or more vehicles. Joining Arval UK in 2003, he has held various remarketing and commercial leadership positions before moving to international roles in 2014, initially as managing director of Arval India and then as managing director of Arval Denmark.

Returning to the UK in July 2023, he has already spearheaded growth in the corporate segment, which has seen the fleet increase by 9.4% in the last 12 months on the back of new business wins.

Curtis said: “As we venture into the world of new mobility solutions, including electric cargo-bikes, car-sharing and EV charging payment solutions, it’s likely business leasing will remain an innovative channel which will support long-term growth for Arval.”

Arval UK managing director Lakshmi Moorthy added: “Both Elliott and Mike have enormous experience, both of the UK market from their extensive time here previously, and now bringing a valuable perspective of leasing across global markets. Their knowledge and capabilities will be of great value to us as we grow our business further, and I am delighted to be able to welcome them into our UK executive team.

“I would also like to thank Mike for providing exceptional interim leadership support to our retail channel, in addition to his main role leading the corporate segment, prior to Elliott’s appointment.”