The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has appointed Avis Budget Group MD Nina Bell as its first female vice-chair as it pushes ahead with investment into infrastructure, research and expertise.

Avis Budget Group MD Nina Bell becomes the first female vice-chair of the BVRLA

Replacing Simon Oliphant, Bell will support chairman Matt Dyer for one year, then take up the role as BVRLA chair for two years before reverting back to vice-chair.

She commented: “We are seeing increasing number of women across the industry, and I believe that my appointment underlines the association’s commitment to ensure representation of our very broad and diverse member base.”

Joining her on the Committee of Management will be Margaret Speirs from Arnold Clark, who takes up the role of chair of the BVRLA Rental Committee, replacing Brian Swallow from Enterprise, who steps down after his two-year term.

The association also continues to pay tribute to one of its founding fathers, the late BVRLA Honorary Life President Freddie Aldous, who passed away in December 2017.

In recognition of the contribution made by Aldous to the sector and more specifically the BVRLA, the association will be naming its conference room, the Freddie Aldous Room, and introducing the Freddie Aldous Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented annually at the association’s industry dinner to recognise outstanding contribution to the development of the association and the sector.

The first part of 2018 has also seen the BVRLA recruit communications and policy teams and bring in expertise from external public affairs specialists to support its campaigning work. A new website has been commissioned and is on schedule to launch later this year.

The association is also looking at introducing new member categories to further increase the diversity of its membership.