Under the changes, Simon Oliphant, chief executive of Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, is to take the position of vice-chairman of the association and will take over as BVRLA chairman when Peter Cakebread steps down in May 2015. Neil Cunningham of Hertz, who served as chairman of the BVRLA between 2011-2013, steps down as vice chairman. 

‘As chairman, vice-chairman or in committees, Neil has been involved with most of the big decisions this association has had to take in recent years,’ said BVRLA chief executive, Gerry Keaney. 

‘His experience and enthusiasm are a great asset to the BVRLA and we are delighted that he will remain on the Committee of Management.’ 

The BVRLA chairman is responsible for leading the BVRLA Committee of Management – in effect its board of directors – which saw six new members added today:

• Tim Buchan, chief executive of Zenith Leasedrive Holdings
• Benoit Dilly, managing director of Arval UK
• Victoria Hudson, managing director of Eurohire Vehicle Rentals
• Tim Porter, managing director of Lex Autolease
• Mark Servodidio, managing director of Avis Budget UK
• Robert Shaw, operations director of Europcar Group UK 

Making way for the new members are Bart Beckers of Arval UK, David Bird of Leasedrive, David Brennan (formerly of LeasePlan UK), Kaye Ceille of Avis Budget UK, Alison Chadwick of Thrifty Car Rental and Andrew Morley of Prohire. 

‘We are immensely grateful to this talented and experienced group, who have given up many hours of their time providing much-needed strategic counsel,’ said Keaney. 

‘Luckily, our industry has a deep pool of talent and we can welcome some very able replacements to guide us through the challenges ahead.’ 

In addition, two of the BVRLA’s member committees have new vice-chairs. David Hosking, chief executive of Tusker, takes on the role for the Leasing and Fleet Management Committee whilst Mike Potter, managing director of Fleetdrive, becomes vice-chair of the Leasing Broker Committee.