DRIVE Software Solutions has appointed industry veteran Joanne Machin as chief executive officer with immediate effect.

Joanne Machin, CEO at DRIVE Software Solutions

Machin is a leasing and procurement specialist with more than 20 years’ background in senior roles across the industry. She brings considerable experience of vehicle leasing, procurement and team building through senior roles at Inchcape, GE Capital, Lex Vehicle Leasing and LeasePlan

She joins DRIVE as the business reports significant inroads into the fleet management market with its ODO fleet management platform, in particular for EVs.

Since it was acquired in November 2019 by VIVA Investment Partners AG (VIP), DRIVE says it’s secured major contracts, improved the management team with leading technology executives, and expanded into the EU.

It has also recently secured new funding and launched a further £10m investment round under plans to further drive growth.

Julie Meyer, CEO of VIP and board director of DRIVE, said: “It is a coup for DRIVE to attract the talent of Jo Machin. She will ensure that DRIVE becomes a strategic asset for the EV ecosystem.”

Commenting on her appointment, Joanne Machin added: “I have spent much of my career in automotive leasing. It is an industry which has developed considerably in that time. As I join DRIVE, my commitment to the industry remains, not least in leading a company which has such a contribution to make as automotive leasing evolves further. There is work to be done but I am intent that DRIVE will play a pivotal role in the industry’s next stage, as we all move from ownership to usership.”