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Chevin appoints new CEO as Ashley Sowerby moves to new role

Chevin Fleet Solutions has announced that founder Ashley Sowerby is stepping down after 32 years at the helm, passing the CEO role to COO Gary Thompson.

Gary Thompson now assumes the CEO role at Chevin, after joining as COO in March 2022

Sowerby moves to the new role of executive chairman, enabling him to step back from day-to-day operations after having evolved the business into one of the largest fleet management software companies in the world. He will continue to offer support on strategic decisions and product direction.

Reflecting on the change, Sowerby said: “Following 32 wonderful years as founder and CEO of Chevin, I am proud to have built a world-class business providing solutions to some of the largest fleets globally, having started from very humble domestic UK operations. Over recent years I have assembled a very capable team and Operational Board, who have laid very strong foundations for further growth, through investment in people, process and product.”

The move is one of the biggest staffing changes in the company’s history and leaves Gary Thompson heading up the business after joining in March 2022 as chief operating officer.

Thompson stated: “It has been a privilege to work alongside Ashley and I am looking forward to continuing the work with our talented, passionate and innovative team. We are in a strong position to meet the challenges and opportunities in this industry, using technology to drive high value insights and an exceptional customer experience.”

Ashley Sowerby will stay on as executive chairman to offer support on strategic decisions and product direction

Prior to joining Chevin, Thompson worked in a variety of leadership and owner-managed positions, including COO of a successful global SaaS company.

He continued: “I am honoured to take on the role of CEO at Chevin, the business that Ashley created and built into the leading fleet software provider globally. Ashley has built a financially strong company with an excellent operational board, and I am confident that the foundations and strategy are in place to drive further innovation, growth and customer value.”

Will Wycks, chief marketing and product officer, added: “Gary has worked closely within the Operational Board to develop and execute strategies which empower our exceptional teams to drive operational excellence and accelerated growth.

“Gary is the perfect fit to lead the Operational Board and wider team as we build on a clear strategy of driving continued sustainable growth with customer experience at its heart.”

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.