Interview: Fleetondemand’s Joe Howick reveals his Fleet15
Joe Howick, CEO, Fleetondemand, spills the beans on his job ambitions and favourite takeaway to John Challen.
Joe Howick, CEO, Fleetondemand
What is your ambition in your current job role?
To work with our executive team at Fleetondemand to expand the global supply network and our customer base in the UK and Europe.
What job did you want to do when you were growing up?
Golf pro, because our family lived 100 yards from Blackmoor golf course in Hampshire. I achieved that goal at 16, but it wasn’t to be a career, long-term.
The best takeaway food?
When I’m in Yorkshire it is definitely the local Indian curry restaurant, Westbourne Spice. Amazing lamb chops as a starter.
What’s the proudest moment in your career?
Leading the team at FleetEurope, helping grow the business, which was then sold to Fleetondemand in 2019. This enabled my partners to retire after dedicating 20+ years to the business.
What’s your favourite film and why?
Gladiator, because it is just fantastic and one of our friends starred in it. Casino Royale would be a close second.
If money was no object, what’s the first thing you would buy?
I’m close to getting approval from the boss (my wife) for a golf simulator room in our newly renovated house.
Name three cars in your dream garage?
I’m fortunate enough to have owned a few very nice vehicles, so I’d choose just one: a 1964 Aston Martin DB5.
What are the biggest challenges facing fleets at the moment?
Navigating the transition to fleet electrification – and the rise in operational expenses.
You’re on your dream holiday. Where are you?
I try to arrange a long-haul family trip each year and Thailand is our favourite destination.
Night in or night out?
Night in. At the moment, it would be spent watching Trigger Point.
Supermarket of choice?
Waitrose. Our son works for John Lewis, so we get a discount!
What car do you currently drive?
Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 LC 4MATIC AMG Line Premium. Pre-heating the cabin is a game-changer.
Tea, coffee or other?
Coffee.
Books or magazines?
Books.
Who is your idol in life and work?
David Bird and Roddy Graham, former execs from Leasedrive, who took me under their wings.
John Challen
John previously edited International Fleet World magazine, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, having been in automotive journalism for more than 20 years. Over those two decades, he has researched and written about a vast range of automotive topics, including fleet, EVs, engineering, design, retail and the aftermarket.
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