Kia UK has appointed Dave Williams as the new Head of Fleet, effective 01 July. This leadership change arrives as long-time Kia fleet veteran, John Hargreaves, prepares to take retirement.
This ‘changing of the guard’ comes at a significant time for Kia, as it continues to grow in popularity across both fleet and retail markets and prepares to launch into the light commercial vehicle sector with Kia PBVs. Kia is currently the third best-selling brand in the UK, year-to-date.
As Head of Fleet, Dave will take over all aspects of the role, from fleet sales and remarketing to business-specific areas of the company, including Kia Rental, Motability and PBV sales. Kia’s updated Plan S 2030 business strategy is driving the brand’s transformation into a sustainable mobility solutions provider, mapping out a path that enables the brand to respond to challenges and changes in the global market. Kia plans to have launched 15 EV models and 10 xHEV models by 2030.
This year sees the launch of the EV4, EV5 and PV5, which strengthen Kia’s fleet appeal with even greater versatility. Kia is also building towards a complete fleet offering, with a Fleet Management System (FMS) currently being worked on alongside the introduction of PBVs, as well as the continuation of the Kia Business Service Promise – offering preferential rates to business customers who service, maintain and repair their vehicles at Kia dealerships.
Dave’s focus will be to introduce these models to new and existing fleet and business customers, as well as continue Kia’s momentum across all fleet channels. Dave brings 35 years automotive experience, the last 20 of which have been served at Kia.
Dave’s career in automotive spans numerous roles from Salesman and General Manager within dealerships, to Sales Consultant, Coach and Trainer, working with various automotive brands. In 2005, Dave joined Kia as National Dealer Marketing Manager, before switching to Regional Business Manager (RBM) in 2008 and then National Business Manager in 2011, the same year that John Hargreaves joined the business. In October 2017, Dave started his current role as Kia’s Area Manager for the South, where he was responsible for the sales performance of 101 dealerships, while managing a team of RBMs.
Commenting on his new role, Dave Williams said: “It has been my privilege to work for Kia over the past 20 years, and I very much look forward to returning to the fleet side of the business.
“The key to that success has been the people: the team and leadership, of which John has been integral. He has led the fleet team with incredible knowledge and foresight – something I hope to emulate as Kia enters its next chapter. One of the things I am most proud of during my time at Kia is people and personal development, which is something I hope to continue as Head of Fleet.
“I am very grateful to John for leaving the role in such a healthy position, which is testament to his exceptional stewardship of the role, and at a time when Kia is breaking sales records on an almost monthly basis and with a whole host of exciting new products to launch over the next few years.
“Finally, I very much look forward to leading the team and I wish John every heartfelt success and best wishes for the future and his retirement.”
